Journal of NeuroscienceNeurosciencePeer-reviewed journal article
DNA G-quadruplex is a transcriptional control device that regulates memory
Paul Robert MarshalliD, Joshua DaviesiD, Qiongyi ZhaoiD, Wei‐Siang LiauiD, Yujin LeeiD, Dean BasiciD, Ambika Periyakaruppiah, Esmi Lau ZajaczkowskiiD, Laura Jane LeightoniD, Sachithrani U. MadugalleiD, Mason R. B. MusgroveiD, Marcin KielariD, Arie Maeve Brueckner, Hao GongiD, Haobin ReniD, Alexander Walsh, Lech KaczmarczykiD, Walker S. JacksoniD, Alon CheniD, Robert C. SpitaleiD, Timothy William BredyiD
Abstract
The conformational state of DNA fine-tunes the transcriptional rate and abundance of RNA. Here we report that DNA G-quadruplex (G4-DNA) accumulates in neurons in an experience-dependent manner, and that this is required for the transient silencing and activation of genes that are critically involved in learning and memory. In addition, site-specific resolution of G4-DNA by dCas9-mediated deposition of the helicase DHX36 impairs fear extinction memory. Dynamic DNA structure states therefore represent a key molecular mechanism underlying memory consolidation. One-Sentence SummaryG4-DNA is a molecular switch that enables the temporal regulation of the gene expression underlying the formation of fear extinction memory.
- organism: mouse
- assay: DNA methylation
- research focus: gene regulatory network inference
- approach: experimental assay
- Citations
- 14
- FWCI
- 1.90
- Field percentile
- top 14%
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