Experience-dependent neural plasticity, learning, and memory in the era of epitranscriptomics

Genes Brain Behav. 2018 Mar;17(3):e12426. doi: 10.1111/gbb.12426. Epub 2017 Oct 20.

Abstract

In this short review, we highlight recent findings in the emerging field of epitranscriptomic mechanisms and discuss their potential role in neural plasticity, learning and memory. These include the influence of RNA modifications on activity-induced RNA structure states, RNA editing and RNA localization, and how qualitative state changes in RNA increase the functional diversity and information-carrying capacity of RNA molecules. We predict that RNA modifications may be just as important for synaptic plasticity and memory as quantitative changes in transcript and protein abundance, but with the added advantage of not being required to signal back to the nucleus, and therefore better suited to be coordinated with the temporal dynamics of learning.

Keywords: RNA modification; brain; epitranscriptomics; memory; neuron; plasticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / physiology
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / genetics*
  • Epigenomics
  • Humans
  • Learning / physiology*
  • Memory / physiology
  • Neuronal Plasticity / genetics*
  • Neurons / physiology
  • RNA Editing / genetics
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / genetics