Targeting acetyl-CoA metabolism attenuates the formation of fear memories through reduced activity-dependent histone acetylation
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ABSTRACT: Histone acetylation is a key component in the consolidation of long-term fear memories, which are models for highly resilient and durable memory. Histone acetylation is fueled by acetyl-CoA and recently, nuclear-localized metabolic enzymes that produce this metabolite have emerged as direct and local regulators of histone acetylation. In particular, Acetyl-coA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) mediates histone acetylation in the mouse hippocampus. However, whether ACSS2 regulates long-term fear memory remains to be determined. Here, we show that Acss2 knockout is well-tolerated in mice, yet the Acss2 null mouse exhibits reduced acquisition of long-term fear memory. Loss of Acss2 leads to reductions in both histone acetylation and expression of critical learning and memory-related genes in the dorsal hippocampus, specifically following fear conditioning. Further, systemic administration of blood-brain-barrier (BBB)-permeable Acss2 inhibitors during the consolidation window reduces fear memory formation in mice and rats, and reduces anxiety in a predator-scent-stress (PSS) paradigm. Our findings suggest that nuclear acetyl-CoA metabolism via ACSS2 plays a critical, previously unappreciated role in the formation of fear memories.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE199887 | GEO | 2022/07/19
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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