Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein
Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein is a plasticity protein that in humans is encoded by the ARC gene. It was first characterized in 1995.[5][6] ARC is a member of the immediate-early gene (IEG) family, a rapidly activated class of genes functionally defined by their ability to be transcribed in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors. ARC mRNA is localized to activated synaptic sites in an NMDA receptor-dependent manner,[7][8] where the newly translated protein is believed to play a critical role in learning and memory-related molecular processes.[9] Arc protein is widely considered to be important in neurobiology because of its activity regulation, localization, and utility as a marker for plastic changes in the brain. Dysfunction in the production of Arc protein has been implicated as an important factor in understanding various neurological conditions, including amnesia,[10] Alzheimer's disease, Autism spectrum disorders, and Fragile X syndrome.[11] Along with other IEGs such as ZNF268 and HOMER1, ARC is also a significant tool for systems neuroscience as illustrated by the development of the cellular compartment analysis of temporal activity by fluorescence in situ hybridization, or catFISH technique[12][13] (see fluorescent in situ hybridization).
Gene
The ARC gene, located on chromosome 15 in the mouse,[14] chromosome 7 in the rat,[15] and chromosome 8 in the human,[16] genome is conserved across vertebrate species and has low sequence homology to spectrin,[5] a cytoskeletal protein involved in forming the actin cellular cortex. A number of promoter and enhancer regions have been identified that mediate activity-dependent Arc transcription: a serum response element (SRE; see serum response factor) at ~1.5 kb upstream of the initiation site.[17][18] a second SRE at ~6.5 kb;[18] and a synaptic activity response element (SARE) sequence at ~7 kb upstream that contains binding sites for cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2), and SRF.[19]
The 3' UTR of the mRNA contains a cis-acting element required for the localization of Arc to neuronal dendrites,[20] as well as sites for two exon junction complexes (EJCs)[21] that make Arc a natural target for nonsense mediated decay (NMD).[22] Also important for translocation of cytoplasmic Arc mRNA to activated synapses is an 11 nucleotide binding site for heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2 (hnRNP A2).[23]
It is suspected that Arc gene originated from Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons and was repurposed for mediating neuron-neuron communication.[24]
Protein
Once transported, the translated protein is 396 residues in length, with an N-terminus located at amino acids 1-25, a C-terminus at 155-396 (note that the spectrin homology located at 228-380 within the C-terminal), and a putative coiled coil domain at amino acids 26-154.[25] Additionally, the protein has binding sites for endophilin 3 and dynamin 2 at amino acids 89-100 and 195-214, respectively.[26] While Arc mRNA is subject to degradation by NMD, the translated protein contains a PEST sequence at amino acids 351-392, indicating proteasome-dependent degradation.[27] The translated protein can be visualized with an immunoblot as a band at 55 kDa. The ARC protein can form virus-like capsids that package mRNA and can traffic between cells.[28][24]
Trafficking
Following transcription, Arc mRNA is transported out of the nucleus and localized to neuronal dendrites[5] and activated synapses,[29] a process dependent on the 3' UTR,[20] polymerization of actin,[30] and ERK phosphorylation.[30] The mRNA (and aggregate protein) is carried along microtubules radiating out from the nucleus by kinesin (specifically KIF5)[31] and likely translocated into dendritic spines by the actin-based motor protein myosin-Va.[32] Arc has been shown to be associated with polyribosomes at synaptic sites,[33] and is translated in isolated synaptoneurosomal fractions[34] in vitro indicating that the protein is likely locally translated in vivo.
Synaptically localized Arc protein interacts with dynamin and endophilin, proteins involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and facilitates the removal of AMPA receptors from the plasma membrane.[26] Consistent with this, increased Arc levels reduce AMPA currents,[35] while Arc KOs display increases in surface AMPA expression.[36]
Knockouts
Arc is critical as a ubiquitous signaling factor in early embryonic development and is required for growth and patterning during gastrulation.[37] The first knockouts (KOs) for Arc were therefore incompatible with life. Subsequent efforts produced homozygous knockout mice by targeting the entire Arc gene rather than portions of the coding region, eliminating dominant negative effects. These animals proved viable and exhibit no gross malformations in neuronal architecture, but express higher levels of the GluR1 subunit and increased miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in addition to displaying deficiencies in long-term memory.[38]
Signaling
The Arc transcript is dependent upon activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase or MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade,[17] a pathway important for regulation of cell growth and survival.[39] Extracellular signaling to neuronal dendrites activates postsynaptic sites to increase Arc levels through a wide variety of signaling molecules, including mitogens such as epidermal growth factor (EGF),[5] nerve growth factor (NGF),[5] and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),[21] glutamate acting at NMDA receptors,[7][8] dopamine through activation of the D1 receptor subtype,[40][41] and dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG).[42] The common factor for these signaling molecules involves activation of cyclic-AMP and its downstream target protein kinase A (PKA). As such, direct pharmacological activation of cAMP by forskolin or 8-Br-cAMP robustly increases Arc levels[17][41] while H89, a PKA antagonist, blocks these effects[41] as does further downstream blockade of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase [sic] (MEK).[17] Note that the MAPK cascade is a signaling pathway involving multiple kinases acting sequentially [MAPKKK--> MAPKK--> MAPK].
MAPK is able to enter the nucleus and perform its phosphotransferase activity on a number of gene regulatory components[43] that have implications for the regulation of immediate-early genes. Several transcription factors are known to be involved in regulating the Arc gene (see above), including serum response factor (SRF),[17][19] CREB,[19] MEF2,[19] and zif268.[44]
Behavioral effects
Changes in Arc mRNA and/or protein are correlated with a number of behavioral changes including cued fear conditioning,[45] contextual fear conditioning,[46] spatial memory,[47][48] operant conditioning,[49][50] and inhibitory avoidance.[9] The mRNA is notably upregulated following electrical stimulation in LTP-induction procedures such as high frequency stimulation (HFS),[47] and is massively and globally induced by maximal electroconvulsive shock (MECS).[5][7]
Arc in insects
Meanwhile it has been found that Arc may have been acquired by animals more than once. While Arc seems to be closely related among all tetrapods, the one which has been found in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), silkworms (Bombyx mori), and Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) may have been transferred to a common ancestor of these insects by another event.[51][52][53]
References
- GRCh38: Ensembl release 89: ENSG00000198576 - Ensembl, May 2017
- GRCm38: Ensembl release 89: ENSMUSG00000022602 - Ensembl, May 2017
- "Human PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- "Mouse PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- Lyford GL, Yamagata K, Kaufmann WE, Barnes CA, Sanders LK, Copeland NG, et al. (1995). "Arc, a growth factor and activity-regulated gene, encodes a novel cytoskeleton-associated protein that is enriched in neuronal dendrites". Neuron. 14 (2): 433–45. doi:10.1016/0896-6273(95)90299-6. PMID 7857651. S2CID 18117517.
- Link W, Konietzko U, Kauselmann G, Krug M, Schwanke B, Frey U, Kuhl D (1995). "Somatodendritic expression of an immediate early gene is regulated by synaptic activity". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 92 (12): 5734–8. Bibcode:1995PNAS...92.5734L. doi:10.1073/pnas.92.12.5734. PMC 41771. PMID 7777577.
- Wallace CS, Lyford GL, Worley PF, Steward O (1998). "Differential intracellular sorting of immediate early gene mRNAs depends on signals in the mRNA sequence". The Journal of Neuroscience. 18 (1): 26–35. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.18-01-00026.1998. PMC 6793378. PMID 9412483.
- Steward O, Worley PF (2001). "Selective targeting of newly synthesized Arc mRNA to active synapses requires NMDA receptor activation". Neuron. 30 (1): 227–40. doi:10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00275-6. PMID 11343657. S2CID 13395819.
- McIntyre CK, Miyashita T, Setlow B, Marjon KD, Steward O, Guzowski JF, McGaugh JL (2005). "Memory-influencing intra-basolateral amygdala drug infusions modulate expression of Arc protein in the hippocampus". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 102 (30): 10718–23. Bibcode:2005PNAS..10210718M. doi:10.1073/pnas.0504436102. PMC 1175582. PMID 16020527.
- Gautam A, Wadhwa R, Thakur MK (2013). "Involvement of hippocampal Arc in amnesia and its recovery by alcoholic extract of Ashwagandha leaves". Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. 106: 177–84. doi:10.1016/j.nlm.2013.08.009. PMID 24012642. S2CID 26622850.
- "Arc protein 'could be key to memory loss', says study". BBC News Online. 2013-06-09. Retrieved 2013-06-09.
- Guzowski JF, McNaughton BL, Barnes CA, Worley PF (1999). "Environment-specific expression of the immediate-early gene Arc in hippocampal neuronal ensembles". Nature Neuroscience. 2 (12): 1120–4. doi:10.1038/16046. PMID 10570490. S2CID 15647476.
- Vazdarjanova A, McNaughton BL, Barnes CA, Worley PF, Guzowski JF (2002). "Experience-dependent coincident expression of the effector immediate-early genes arc and Homer 1a in hippocampal and neocortical neuronal networks". The Journal of Neuroscience. 22 (23): 10067–71. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.22-23-10067.2002. PMC 6758761. PMID 12451105.
- "Gene: Arc (ENSMUSG00000022602) - Summary - Mus musculus - Ensembl genome browser 100".
- "Gene: Arc (ENSRNOG00000043465) - Summary - Rattus norvegicus - Ensembl genome browser 100".
- "Gene: ARC (ENSG00000198576) - Summary - Homo sapiens - Ensembl genome browser 100".
- Waltereit R, Dammermann B, Wulff P, Scafidi J, Staubli U, Kauselmann G, Bundman M, Kuhl D (2001). "Arg3.1/Arc mRNA induction by Ca2+ and cAMP requires protein kinase A and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated kinase activation". The Journal of Neuroscience. 21 (15): 5484–93. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.21-15-05484.2001. PMC 6762636. PMID 11466419.
- Pintchovski SA, Peebles CL, Kim HJ, Verdin E, Finkbeiner S (2009). "The serum response factor and a putative novel transcription factor regulate expression of the immediate-early gene Arc/Arg3.1 in neurons". The Journal of Neuroscience. 29 (5): 1525–37. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5575-08.2009. PMC 2874324. PMID 19193899.
- Kawashima T, Okuno H, Nonaka M, Adachi-Morishima A, Kyo N, Okamura M, Takemoto-Kimura S, Worley PF, Bito H (2009). "Synaptic activity-responsive element in the Arc/Arg3.1 promoter essential for synapse-to-nucleus signaling in activated neurons". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 106 (1): 316–21. Bibcode:2009PNAS..106..316K. doi:10.1073/pnas.0806518106. PMC 2629236. PMID 19116276.
- Kobayashi H, Yamamoto S, Maruo T, Murakami F (2005). "Identification of a cis-acting element required for dendritic targeting of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein mRNA". The European Journal of Neuroscience. 22 (12): 2977–84. doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2005.04508.x. PMID 16367764. S2CID 8091392.
- Giorgi C, Yeo GW, Stone ME, Katz DB, Burge C, Turrigiano G, Moore MJ (2007). "The EJC factor eIF4AIII modulates synaptic strength and neuronal protein expression". Cell. 130 (1): 179–91. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2007.05.028. PMID 17632064. S2CID 14840114.
- Tange TØ, Nott A, Moore MJ (2004). "The ever-increasing complexities of the exon junction complex". Current Opinion in Cell Biology. 16 (3): 279–84. doi:10.1016/j.ceb.2004.03.012. PMID 15145352.
- Gao Y, Tatavarty V, Korza G, Levin MK, Carson JH (2008). "Multiplexed dendritic targeting of alpha calcium calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, neurogranin, and activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein RNAs by the A2 pathway". Molecular Biology of the Cell. 19 (5): 2311–27. doi:10.1091/mbc.E07-09-0914. PMC 2366844. PMID 18305102.
- Pastuzyn ED, Day CE, Kearns RB, Kyrke-Smith M, Taibi AV, McCormick J, Yoder N, Belnap DM, Erlendsson S, Morado DR, Briggs JA, Feschotte C, Shepherd JD (2018-01-11). "The Neuronal Gene Arc Encodes a Repurposed Retrotransposon Gag Protein that Mediates Intercellular RNA Transfer". Cell. 172 (1–2): 275–288.e18. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2017.12.024. ISSN 0092-8674. PMC 5923900. PMID 29570995.
- Bloomer WA, VanDongen HM, VanDongen AM (2007). "Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein Arc/Arg3.1 binds to spectrin and associates with nuclear promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies". Brain Research. 1153: 20–33. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2007.03.079. PMID 17466953. S2CID 17577498.
- Chowdhury S, Shepherd JD, Okuno H, Lyford G, Petralia RS, Plath N, Kuhl D, Huganir RL, Worley PF (2006). "Arc/Arg3.1 interacts with the endocytic machinery to regulate AMPA receptor trafficking". Neuron. 52 (3): 445–59. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2006.08.033. PMC 1784006. PMID 17088211.
- Rao VR, Pintchovski SA, Chin J, Peebles CL, Mitra S, Finkbeiner S (2006). "AMPA receptors regulate transcription of the plasticity-related immediate-early gene Arc". Nature Neuroscience. 9 (7): 887–95. doi:10.1038/nn1708. PMID 16732277. S2CID 6439070.
- Ashley J, Cordy B, Lucia D, Fradkin LG, Budnik V, Thomson T (2018). "Retrovirus-like Gag Protein Arc1 Binds RNA and Traffics across Synaptic Boutons". Cell. 172 (1–2): 262–274.e11. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2017.12.022. PMC 5793882. PMID 29328915.
- Steward O, Wallace CS, Lyford GL, Worley PF (1998). "Synaptic activation causes the mRNA for the IEG Arc to localize selectively near activated postsynaptic sites on dendrites". Neuron. 21 (4): 741–51. doi:10.1016/S0896-6273(00)80591-7. PMID 9808461. S2CID 15824001.
- Huang F, Chotiner JK, Steward O (2007). "Actin polymerization and ERK phosphorylation are required for Arc/Arg3.1 mRNA targeting to activated synaptic sites on dendrites". The Journal of Neuroscience. 27 (34): 9054–67. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2410-07.2007. PMC 6672203. PMID 17715342.
- Kanai Y, Dohmae N, Hirokawa N (2004). "Kinesin transports RNA: isolation and characterization of an RNA-transporting granule". Neuron. 43 (4): 513–25. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2004.07.022. PMID 15312650. S2CID 14770642.
- Yoshimura A, Fujii R, Watanabe Y, Okabe S, Fukui K, Takumi T (2006). "Myosin-Va facilitates the accumulation of mRNA/protein complex in dendritic spines". Current Biology. 16 (23): 2345–51. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2006.10.024. PMID 17141617. S2CID 604555.
- Bagni C, Mannucci L, Dotti CG, Amaldi F (2000). "Chemical stimulation of synaptosomes modulates alpha -Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II mRNA association to polysomes". The Journal of Neuroscience. 20 (10): RC76. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.20-10-j0004.2000. PMC 6772680. PMID 10783400.
- Yin Y, Edelman GM, Vanderklish PW (2002). "The brain-derived neurotrophic factor enhances synthesis of Arc in synaptoneurosomes". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 99 (4): 2368–73. Bibcode:2002PNAS...99.2368Y. doi:10.1073/pnas.042693699. PMC 122371. PMID 11842217.
- Rial Verde EM, Lee-Osbourne J, Worley PF, Malinow R, Cline HT (2006). "Increased expression of the immediate-early gene arc/arg3.1 reduces AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission". Neuron. 52 (3): 461–74. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2006.09.031. PMC 3951199. PMID 17088212.
- Shepherd JD, Rumbaugh G, Wu J, Chowdhury S, Plath N, Kuhl D, Huganir RL, Worley PF (2006). "Arc/Arg3.1 mediates homeostatic synaptic scaling of AMPA receptors". Neuron. 52 (3): 475–84. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2006.08.034. PMC 1764219. PMID 17088213.
- Liu D, Bei D, Parmar H, Matus A (2000). "Activity-regulated, cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is essential for visceral endoderm organization during early embryogenesis". Mechanisms of Development. 92 (2): 207–15. doi:10.1016/s0925-4773(99)00340-8. PMID 10727859. S2CID 1274133.
- Plath N, Ohana O, Dammermann B, Errington ML, Schmitz D, Gross C, et al. (2006). "Arc/Arg3.1 is essential for the consolidation of synaptic plasticity and memories". Neuron. 52 (3): 437–44. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2006.08.024. PMID 17088210. S2CID 2039086.
- Impey S, Obrietan K, Storm DR (1999). "Making new connections: role of ERK/MAP kinase signaling in neuronal plasticity". Neuron. 23 (1): 11–4. doi:10.1016/s0896-6273(00)80747-3. PMID 10402188. S2CID 14011921.
- Granado N, Ortiz O, Suárez LM, Martín ED, Ceña V, Solís JM, Moratalla R (2008). "D1 but not D5 dopamine receptors are critical for LTP, spatial learning, and LTP-Induced arc and zif268 expression in the hippocampus". Cerebral Cortex. 18 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1093/cercor/bhm026. PMID 17395606.
- Bloomer WA, VanDongen HM, VanDongen AM (2008). "Arc/Arg3.1 translation is controlled by convergent N-methyl-D-aspartate and Gs-coupled receptor signaling pathways". The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 283 (1): 582–92. doi:10.1074/jbc.M702451200. PMID 17981809.
- Brackmann M, Zhao C, Kuhl D, Manahan-Vaughan D, Braunewell KH (2004). "MGluRs regulate the expression of neuronal calcium sensor proteins NCS-1 and VILIP-1 and the immediate early gene arg3.1/arc in the hippocampus in vivo". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 322 (3): 1073–9. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.08.028. PMID 15336574.
- Treisman R (1996). "Regulation of transcription by MAP kinase cascades". Current Opinion in Cell Biology. 8 (2): 205–15. doi:10.1016/s0955-0674(96)80067-6. PMID 8791420.
- Li L, Carter J, Gao X, Whitehead J, Tourtellotte WG (2005). "The neuroplasticity-associated arc gene is a direct transcriptional target of early growth response (Egr) transcription factors". Molecular and Cellular Biology. 25 (23): 10286–300. doi:10.1128/MCB.25.23.10286-10300.2005. PMC 1291244. PMID 16287845.
- Monti B, Berteotti C, Contestabile A (2006). "Subchronic rolipram delivery activates hippocampal CREB and arc, enhances retention and slows down extinction of conditioned fear". Neuropsychopharmacology. 31 (2): 278–86. doi:10.1038/sj.npp.1300813. PMID 15988467.
- Huff NC, Frank M, Wright-Hardesty K, Sprunger D, Matus-Amat P, Higgins E, Rudy JW (2006). "Amygdala regulation of immediate-early gene expression in the hippocampus induced by contextual fear conditioning". The Journal of Neuroscience. 26 (5): 1616–23. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4964-05.2006. PMC 6675489. PMID 16452685.
- Guzowski JF, Lyford GL, Stevenson GD, Houston FP, McGaugh JL, Worley PF, Barnes CA (2000). "Inhibition of activity-dependent arc protein expression in the rat hippocampus impairs the maintenance of long-term potentiation and the consolidation of long-term memory". The Journal of Neuroscience. 20 (11): 3993–4001. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.20-11-03993.2000. PMC 6772617. PMID 10818134.
- Guzowski JF, Setlow B, Wagner EK, McGaugh JL (2001). "Experience-dependent gene expression in the rat hippocampus after spatial learning: a comparison of the immediate-early genes Arc, c-fos, and zif268". The Journal of Neuroscience. 21 (14): 5089–98. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.21-14-05089.2001. PMC 6762831. PMID 11438584.
- Kelly MP, Deadwyler SA (2002). "Acquisition of a novel behavior induces higher levels of Arc mRNA than does overtrained performance". Neuroscience. 110 (4): 617–26. doi:10.1016/s0306-4522(01)00605-4. PMID 11934470. S2CID 12146147.
- Kelly MP, Deadwyler SA (2003). "Experience-dependent regulation of the immediate-early gene arc differs across brain regions". The Journal of Neuroscience. 23 (16): 6443–51. doi:10.1523/jneurosci.23-16-06443.2003. PMC 6740623. PMID 12878684.
- Letzter R (2 February 2018). "An Ancient Virus May Be Responsible for Human Consciousness". Live Science.
- Parrish NF, Tomonaga K (January 2018). "A Viral (Arc)hive for Metazoan Memory". Cell. 172 (1–2): 8–10. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2017.12.029. PMID 29328922.
- Pastuzyn ED, Day CE, Kearns RB, Kyrke-Smith M, Taibi AV, McCormick J, et al. (January 2018). "The Neuronal Gene Arc Encodes a Repurposed Retrotransposon Gag Protein that Mediates Intercellular RNA Transfer". Cell. 172 (1–2): 275–288.e18. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2017.12.024. PMC 5884693. PMID 29328916.
External links
- Human ARC genome location and ARC gene details page in the UCSC Genome Browser.