What does protein Arc do?

ARC protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of ARC mRNA into new target cells, where ARC mRNA can undergo activity-dependent translation….

Molecular function	Developmental protein, RNA-binding
Biological process	Endocytosis, Transport

What role does Arc play in synaptic plasticity?

Arc regulates synaptic strength through multiple mechanisms and is involved in essentially every known form of synaptic plasticity. It also mediates memory formation and is implicated in multiple neurological diseases.

What can cause Arc to be expressed in a particular brain region?

Arc expression is induced in a number of brain regions following emotionally-relevant experiences, including exposure to novelty23,24, environmental enrichment25, and stressful experiences26,27. As such, Arc is well positioned to influence mood-related behaviors.

What are Arc neurons?

Neuronal and glial cell biology Arc is induced as an immediate early gene in vertebrate principal neurons. Learning paradigms are associated with rapid induction of Arc in many regions of the adult rodent forebrain. The mRNA encoded by Arc traffics to dendrites and specifically accumulates near stimulated synapses [3].

Is the ARC gene a virus?

Arc forms structures (capsids) that resemble viruses, but can contain and transport RNA. Beyond just encapsulating its own RNA, Arc capsids can take up seemingly any abundant nearby RNA, a process that has also been shown to occur in retroviruses. So, just like viruses, Arc capsids encapsulate and protect RNA.

Where is ARC expressed?

Arc/Arg3. 1 in brain has been well studied. It is an immediate-early gene (IEG), which is expressed at low levels under resting condition, but its transcription is rapidly and transiently induced in response to external stimuli and intense synaptic activity14,15.

Which is a secretion of the arcuate nucleus that inhibits eating?

POMC/CART neurons also secrete melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which suppresses appetite.

Where are synapses found?

In the central nervous system, a synapse is a small gap at the end of a neuron that allows a signal to pass from one neuron to the next. Synapses are found where nerve cells connect with other nerve cells.

Where is Arc protein found?

ARC protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of ARC mRNA into new target cells, where ARC mRNA can undergo activity-dependent translation. ARC capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer ARC mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons.

Where is ARC found?

The ARC gene, located on chromosome 15 in the mouse, chromosome 7 in the rat, and chromosome 8 in the human, genome is conserved across vertebrate species and has low sequence homology to spectrin, a cytoskeletal protein involved in forming the actin cellular cortex.