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Open AccessJournal ArticleDOI

Epigenetic Regulation of bdnf Gene Transcription in the Consolidation of Fear Memory

TLDR
Results suggest epigenetic modification of the bdnf gene as a mechanism for isoform-specific gene readout during memory consolidation in the hippocampus suggests selective changes in gene expression are required for long-term memory formation.
Abstract
Long-term memory formation requires selective changes in gene expression. Here, we determined the contribution of chromatin remodeling to learning-induced changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) gene expression in the adult hippocampus. Contextual fear learning induced differential regulation of exon-specific bdnf mRNAs (I, IV, VI, IX) that was associated with changes in bdnf DNA methylation and altered local chromatin structure. Infusions of zebularine (a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor) significantly altered bdnf DNA methylation and triggered changes in exon-specific bdnf mRNA levels, indicating that altered DNA methylation is sufficient to drive differential bdnf transcript regulation in the hippocampus. In addition, NMDA receptor blockade prevented memory-associated alterations in bdnf DNA methylation, resulting in a block of altered bdnf gene expression in hippocampus and a deficit in memory formation. These results suggest epigenetic modification of the bdnf gene as a mechanism for isoform-specific gene readout during memory consolidation.

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Glutamate Receptor Ion Channels: Structure, Regulation, and Function

TL;DR: This review discusses International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology glutamate receptor nomenclature, structure, assembly, accessory subunits, interacting proteins, gene expression and translation, post-translational modifications, agonist and antagonist pharmacology, allosteric modulation, mechanisms of gating and permeation, roles in normal physiological function, as well as the potential therapeutic use of pharmacological agents acting at glutamate receptors.
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DNA Methylation and Its Basic Function

TL;DR: The investigation into DNA methylation continues to show a rich and complex picture about epigenetic gene regulation in the central nervous system and provides possible therapeutic targets for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Lasting epigenetic influence of early-life adversity on the BDNF gene.

TL;DR: An epigenetic molecular mechanism potentially underlying lifelong and transgenerational perpetuation of changes in gene expression and behavior incited by early abuse and neglect is highlighted.
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Epigenetics and the biological definition of gene x environment interactions.

TL;DR: This review focuses on the enduring effects of naturally occurring variations in maternal care on gene expression and phenotype to provide an example of environmentally driven plasticity at the level of the DNA, revealing the interdependence of gene and environmental in the regulation of phenotype.
Journal ArticleDOI

TET-mediated active DNA demethylation: mechanism, function and beyond

TL;DR: Recent advances in biochemical and structural studies have revealed mechanistic insights into how TET and TDG mediate active DNA demethylation and many regulatory mechanisms of this process have been identified.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

Analysis of relative gene expression data using real-time quantitative pcr and the 2(-delta delta c(t)) method

TL;DR: The 2-Delta Delta C(T) method as mentioned in this paper was proposed to analyze the relative changes in gene expression from real-time quantitative PCR experiments, and it has been shown to be useful in the analysis of realtime, quantitative PCR data.
Book

The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates

TL;DR: This paper presents a meta-analyses of the determinants of earthquake-triggered landsliding in the Czech Republic over a period of 18 months in order to establish a probabilistic framework for estimating the intensity of the earthquake.
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A synaptic model of memory: long-term potentiation in the hippocampus

TL;DR: The best understood form of long-term potentiation is induced by the activation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor complex, which allows electrical events at the postsynaptic membrane to be transduced into chemical signals which, in turn, are thought to activate both pre- and post Synaptic mechanisms to generate a persistent increase in synaptic strength.
Journal ArticleDOI

The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, George Paxinos, Charles Watson (Eds.). Academic Press, San Diego, CA (1982), vii + 153, $35.00, ISBN: 0 125 47620 5

TL;DR: It is shown here how the response of the immune system to repeated exposure to high-energy radiation affects its ability to discriminate between healthy and diseased tissue.
Journal ArticleDOI

Memory--a century of consolidation.

TL;DR: This review examines the progress made over the century in understanding the time-dependent processes that create the authors' lasting memories.
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