Dynamic regulation of Z-DNA in the mouse prefrontal cortex by the RNA-editing enzyme Adar1 is required for fear extinction
- Journal:
- Nature Neuroscience
- Published:
- DOI:
- 10.1038/s41593-020-0627-5
- Affiliations:
- 3
- Authors:
- 15
Research Highlight
Spiralling fear linked to spiralling DNA
© Laguna Design/Getty
The shape of DNA in the brain affects how well mice can ‘unlearn’ previously acquired fear memories, a finding that could lead to new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric conditions.
A team led by scientists at the University of Queensland showed that, during fear learning, anti-clockwise helices of DNA form in the mouse prefrontal cortex — the short-term memory centre of the brain.
During fear extinguishing, when mice were exposed to safe stimuli in similar environments, an enzyme known as ADAR1 latched onto the reverse-twisted DNA and converted the helix shape back to its normal, clockwise spiral.
Without ADAR1, the DNA got stuck in its backwards configuration and mice were unable to form non-fearful memories. The results thus provide a link between DNA flexibility and cognitive flexibility.
References
- Nature Neuroscience 23, 718–729 (2020). doi: 10.1038/s41593-020-0627-5
Institutions | Authors | Share |
---|---|---|
The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia | 0.87 | |
Cancer and RNA Biology Unit, SVI, Australia | 0.07 | |
Australian Catholic University (ACU), Australia | 0.07 |