Jason D Shepherd
University of Utah, UT·Neuroscience
Memories are thought to be stored by strengthening or weakening synapses, the connections between neurons. Most models assume that each neuron controls its own synapses.
- Fields
Neuroscience
Biology
Biochemistry
- Topics
Arc
synaptic plasticity
learning and memory
- Grants
- 1 known grant, through May 2028
What they work on
- Test whether LTP increases Arc protein in dendrites and its assembly into virus-like capsids, using live imaging of neurons.
- Determine how the membrane-shaping protein IRSp53 interacts with Arc to promote Arc release in extracellular vesicles after LTP induction.
- Test whether uptake of Arc-containing extracellular vesicles by neighboring neurons triggers AMPA receptor removal and weakens their synapses, using live imaging and electrophysiology.
More about the research
A gene called Arc, which is switched on by learning and is essential for long-lasting memory, hints at something different. The lab found that Arc protein descends from ancient retrotransposons, virus-like genetic elements. Arc spontaneously assembles into virus-like shells called capsids that package RNA, including its own messenger RNA (mRNA). Neurons release Arc in extracellular vesicles (EVs), small membrane bubbles. These EVs can deliver Arc mRNA into neurons that lack the Arc gene.
Why it matters
Disrupted Arc-dependent plasticity is implicated in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. Uncovering how Arc moves between neurons and weakens their synapses could clarify the mechanisms behind these disorders and behind normal memory and cognition.
Known grants
From NIH and NSF research grants. Labs often have other funding we can't see.
Closest labs
Johannes W Hell
University of California-Davis, CA·Neuroscience
Test whether norepinephrine taken into neurons by the transporters OCT3 and PMAT activates internal β2ARs to drive GluA1 phosphorylation, AMPAR surface delivery and LTP, using inhibitors, knockout mice, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence.
Vishnu Suppiramaniam
Kennesaw State University, GA·Neuroscience
Investigate the molecular mechanisms behind memory and synaptic plasticity deficits after prenatal cannabinoid exposure, using behavioral tests and hippocampal measurements of long-term potentiation and long-term depression in exposed animals.
Andre Antonio Fenton
New York University, NY·Neuroscience
Test whether erasing aPKC-dependent synaptic strengthening, via genetic manipulation of PKMζ and PKCι/λ targeted to memory-encoding hippocampal neurons, permanently erases a long-term active place avoidance memory.
The school
University of Utah: 58 labs on PI Pages, $789M a year on research, 366 research doctorates a year.
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