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Updated: Jun 29, 2025
09:36
RNA Pull-down Procedure to Identify RNA Targets of a Long Non-coding RNA
Published on: April 10, 2018
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Synaptically-targeted long non-coding RNA SLAMR promotes structural plasticity by increasing translation and CaMKII
Isabel Espadas1, Jenna L Wingfield1, Yoshihisa Nakahata2
1Department of Neuroscience, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, Jupiter, FL, USA.
Nature Communications
|March 28, 2024
Summary
A newly identified long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), SLAMR, is crucial for synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation. Its transport and function in hippocampal neurons impact dendritic complexity and fear memory formation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are vital for cellular functions.
- The impact of neuronal activity on lncRNA regulation and memory formation is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of neuronal activity-regulated lncRNAs in synaptic plasticity and memory.
- To identify and characterize novel lncRNAs involved in learning and memory.
Main Methods:
- Identification of SLAMR in hippocampal CA1 neurons after fear conditioning.
- Analysis of SLAMR transport via KIF5C and synaptic recruitment.
- Investigating loss-of-function and gain-of-function effects on neuronal structure and plasticity.
- Proteomic analysis of SLAMR interactome and CaMKIIα activity.
- Behavioral testing in mice for fear memory consolidation and spatial memory.
Main Results:
- SLAMR is enriched in CA1 neurons post-conditioning and transported along dendrites.
- SLAMR regulates dendritic complexity, spine plasticity, and translation.
- SLAMR interacts with CaMKIIα, influencing its activity.
- Loss of SLAMR function impairs fear memory consolidation in male mice.
Conclusions:
- SLAMR is a key player in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity.
- SLAMR is essential for the consolidation of contextual fear memory.
- This study reveals novel insights into lncRNA function in memory formation.
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