Abstract:
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Estrogens have been implicated extensively in learning, memory, dendritic spinogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. The molecular pathways underlying estrogens’ rapid, nongenomic actions are not well understood, however protein translation of dendritically-localized mRNA transcripts may be a possible mechanism of action. The Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-association protein (Arc) has emerged as a strong candidate for the mediation of these effects. Here, we present findings from mouse in vivo and primary cortical cell culture models demonstrating Arc’s dynamic regulation following stimulation by 17beta-estradiol (E2) within 15- to 40-minutes of treatment. Further, we show that E2 induces a differential localization of dendritic Arc dependent on the length of time that follows E2 treatment. In sum, these data suggest a novel role for Arc acting within a mechanism of E2-facilitated neuronal actions that is dose-, time-, and dendritic region-dependent, advocating for a multi-mechanism approach to studying Arc’s involvement in estrogenic short-term memory facilitation within the mouse brain. |