The Temporal Dynamics of Arc Expression Regulate Cognitive Flexibility

Summary

Neuronal activity regulates the transcription and translation of the immediate-early gene Arc/Arg3.1, a key mediator of synaptic plasticity. Proteasome-dependent degradation of Arc tightly limits its temporal expression, yet the significance of this regulation remains unknown. We disrupted the temporal control of Arc degradation by creating an Arc knockin mouse (ArcKR) where the predominant Arc ubiquitination sites were mutated. ArcKR mice had intact spatial learning but showed specific deficits in selecting an optimal strategy during reversal learning. This cognitive inflexibility was coupled to changes in Arc mRNA and protein expression resulting in a reduced threshold to induce mGluR-LTD and enhanced mGluR-LTD amplitude. These findings show that the abnormal persistence of Arc protein limits the dynamic range of Arc signaling pathways specifically during reversal learning. Our work illuminates how the precise temporal control of activity-dependent molecules, such as Arc, regulates synaptic plasticity and is crucial for cognition.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

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  Mutation of Arc ubiquitination sites slows Arc degradation

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  Arc knockin mice have enhanced mGluR-LTD

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  The persistence of Arc reduces cognitive flexibility

Abstract

Ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of Arc tightly limits its temporal expression, yet the significance of this regulation remains unknown. We generated a mouse disrupting the temporal control of Arc removal (ArcKR). ArcKR mice exhibit enhanced mGluR-LTD and have impaired cognitive flexibility.