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Memory strength gates the involvement of a CREB-dependent cortical fear engram in remote memory

Author

Listed:
  • Mariana R. Matos

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Esther Visser

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Ioannis Kramvis

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Rolinka J. van der Loo

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Titia Gebuis

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Robbert Zalm

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Priyanka Rao-Ruiz

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Huibert D. Mansvelder

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • August B. Smit

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

  • Michel C. van den Oever

    (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Abstract

Encoding and retrieval of contextual memories is initially mediated by sparsely activated neurons, so-called engram cells, in the hippocampus. Subsequent memory persistence is thought to depend on network-wide changes involving progressive contribution of cortical regions, a process referred to as systems consolidation. Using a viral-based TRAP (targeted recombination in activated populations) approach, we studied whether consolidation of contextual fear memory by neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is modulated by memory strength and CREB function. We demonstrate that activity of a small subset of mPFC neurons is sufficient and necessary for remote memory expression, but their involvement depends on the strength of conditioning. Furthermore, selective disruption of CREB function in mPFC engram cells after mild conditioning impairs remote memory expression. Together, our data demonstrate that memory consolidation by mPFC engram cells requires CREB-mediated transcription, with the functionality of this network hub being gated by memory strength.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariana R. Matos & Esther Visser & Ioannis Kramvis & Rolinka J. van der Loo & Titia Gebuis & Robbert Zalm & Priyanka Rao-Ruiz & Huibert D. Mansvelder & August B. Smit & Michel C. van den Oever, 2019. "Memory strength gates the involvement of a CREB-dependent cortical fear engram in remote memory," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10266-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10266-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaocen Fan & Jiachen Song & Chaonan Ma & Yanbo Lv & Feifei Wang & Lan Ma & Xing Liu, 2022. "Noradrenergic signaling mediates cortical early tagging and storage of remote memory," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.

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