Scripps VIVO scripps research logo

  • Index
  • Log in
  • Home
  • People
  • Organizations
  • Research
  • Events
Search form
As of April 1st VIVO Scientific Profiles will no longer updated for faculty, and the link to VIVO will be removed from the library website. Faculty profile pages will continue to be updated via Interfolio. VIVO will continue being used behind the scenes to update graduate student profiles. Please contact helplib@scripps.edu if you have questions.
How to download citations from VIVO | Alternative profile options

DNA methylation and histone acetylation work in concert to regulate memory formation and synaptic plasticity

Academic Article
uri icon
  • Overview
  • Research
  • Identity
  • Additional Document Info
  • View All
scroll to property group menus

Overview

authors

  • Miller, Courtney
  • Campbell, S. L.
  • Sweatt, J. D.

publication date

  • May 2008

journal

  • Neurobiology of Learning and Memory  Journal

abstract

  • A clear understanding is developing concerning the importance of epigenetic-related molecular mechanisms in transcription-dependent long-term memory formation. Chromatin modification, in particular histone acetylation, is associated with transcriptional activation, and acetylation of histone 3 (H3) occurs in Area CA1 of the hippocampus following contextual fear conditioning training. Conversely, DNA methylation is associated with transcriptional repression, but is also dynamically regulated in Area CA1 following training. We recently reported that inhibition of the enzyme responsible for DNA methylation, DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), in the adult rat hippocampus blocks behavioral memory formation. Here, we report that DNMT inhibition also blocks the concomitant memory-associated H3 acetylation, without affecting phosphorylation of its upstream regulator, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Interestingly, the DNMT inhibitor-induced deficit in memory consolidation, along with deficits in long-term potentiation, can be rescued by pharmacologically increasing levels of histone acetylation prior to DNMT inhibition. These observations suggest that DNMT activity is not only necessary for memory and plasticity, but that DNA methylation may work in concert with histone modifications to regulate plasticity and memory formation in the adult rat hippocampus.

subject areas

  • Acetylation
  • Animals
  • Azacitidine
  • Chromatin
  • Conditioning (Psychology)
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferase
  • DNA Methylation
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Fear
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Histone Deacetylases
  • Histones
  • Memory
  • Neuronal Plasticity
  • Rats
scroll to property group menus

Research

keywords

  • DNA methylation
  • HDAC
  • acetylation
  • chromatin
  • consolidation
  • epigenetics
  • hippocampus
  • histone
  • learning
scroll to property group menus

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2430891

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1074-7427

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.nlm.2007.07.016

PubMed ID

  • 17881251
scroll to property group menus

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 599

end page

  • 603

volume

  • 89

issue

  • 4

©2022 The Scripps Research Institute | Terms of Use | Powered by VIVO

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Support