Open AccessFollistatin mediates learning and synaptic plasticity via regulation of Asic4 expression in the hippocampus
Author(s) -
YuJu Chen,
Shin-Meng Deng,
Hui-Wen Chen,
Chi-Hui Tsao,
WeiTing Chen,
Sin-Jhong Cheng,
HsiangPo Huang,
Bertrand ChinMing Tan,
Martin M. Matzuk,
Jonathan Flint,
Guo-Jen Huang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2109040118
Subject(s) - neurogenesis , hippocampal formation , long term potentiation , hippocampus , neuroscience , biology , synaptic plasticity , dentate gyrus , follistatin , knockout mouse , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , receptor
Significance Adult neurogenesis, which is known to be a heritable trait, is thought to be involved in learning, stress-related anxiety, and antidepressant action. In this study, we map genes influencing adult neurogenesis and identify a candidate gene, follistatin (Fst ) for further study. By utilizing a brain-specific knockout and viral vector-mediated gene transfer, we reveal the importance of hippocampal FST in neurogenesis, learning, and synaptic plasticity. From RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, we identifyAsic4 as a critical downstream target gene regulated by FST. Our work demonstrates that FST functions in the hippocampus at least in part through regulatingAsic4 expression. Overall, we illustrate the role of hippocampalFst in learning and synaptic plasticity.