Epigenetic mechanisms regulate cue memory underlying discriminative behavior. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shang, Andrea; Bieszczad, Kasia M.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 141(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Epigenetics -- Behavior -- Memory -- Cue memory -- Learning -- Neurophysiology -- Sensory systems -- Neuroplasticity -- Neuroscience -- Histone acetylation -- DNA methylation; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104811
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Abstract: The burgeoning field of neuroepigenetics has introduced chromatin modification as an important interface between experience and brain function. For example, epigenetic mechanisms like histone acetylation and DNA methylation operate throughout a lifetime to powerfully regulate gene expression in the brain that is required for experiences to be transformed into long-term memories. This review highlights emerging evidence from sensory models of memory that converge on the premise that epigenetic regulation of activity-dependent transcription in the sensory brain facilitates highly precise memory recall. Chromatin modifications may be key for neurophysiological responses to transient sensory cue features experienced in the "here and now" to be recapitulated over the long term. We conclude that the function of epigenetic control of sensory system neuroplasticity is to regulate the amount and type of sensory information retained in long-term memories by regulating neural representations of behaviorally relevant cues that guide behavior. This is of broad importance in the neuroscience field because there are few circumstances in which behavioral acts are devoid of an initiating sensory experience. Highlights: Epigenetic mechanisms modulate experience-dependent sensory processes. Epigenetic players regulate cue features retained from experiences into memory. Permissive states for gene expression facilitate sensory system neuroplasticity. HDACs and DNMTs control the permissive state for learning effects in adult brains. Specific, lasting cue memory relies on enduring cue-specific sensory system changes.