Cited by 244Memory and Neural MechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

Very long-term memories may be stored in the pattern of holes in the perineuronal net

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Tsien, Roger Y.·2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

A hypothesis and the experiments to test it propose that very long-term memories, such as fear conditioning, are stored as the pattern of holes in the perineuronal net (PNN), a specialized ECM that envelops mature neurons and restricts synapse formation. The 3D intertwining of PNN and synapses would be imaged by serial-section EM. Lifetimes of PNN vs. intrasynaptic components would be compared with pulse-chase 15 N labeling in mice and 14 C content in human cadaver brains. Genetically encoded indicators and antineoepitope antibodies should improve spatial and temporal resolution of the in vivo activity of proteases that locally erode PNN. Further techniques suggested include genetic KOs, better pharmacological inhibitors, and a genetically encoded snapshot reporter, which will capture the pattern of activity throughout a large ensemble of neurons at a time precisely defined by the triggering illumination, drive expression of effector genes to mark those cells, and allow selective excitation, inhibition, or ablation to test their functional importance. The snapshot reporter should enable more precise inhibition or potentiation of PNN erosion to compare with behavioral consequences. Finally, biosynthesis of PNN components and proteases would be imaged.

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  1. Quirk GJ, et al. (2010) Erasing fear memories with extinction training. J Neurosci 30(45):14993-14997.

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Authors
Tsien, R. Y.
Affiliations
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Tsien, Roger Y.
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2013-07-05
Volume
110
Issue
30
Pages
12456-12461
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2164667485
Cited by
244
References
80
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 5
FWCI
9.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • National Institutes of Health (NS27177)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS27177, R37NS027177, R01NS027177)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Keywords
perineuronal nets, long-term memory storage, fear conditioning, extracellular matrix, synaptogenesis, genetically encoded indicators, pulse-chase labeling, 15N labeling, carbon-14 labeling, memory reconsolidation
MeSH terms
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Humans, Memory, Nerve Net, Neurons, Synapses, Mice, Knockout, Matrix Metalloproteinase 2, Matrix Metalloproteinase 9, Mice

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