Role of nucleosome composition and histone variant exchange in associative learning and memory

记忆的形成是一个过程，在这个过程中，短暂的事件通过改变基因表达产生持久的结果。环境影响基因的机制尚不清楚，但它涉及组蛋白H2A， H2B， H3和H4的表观遗传修饰，这些组蛋白调节DNA的获取。我的工作重点是了解组蛋白如何调节对DNA的访问，以此作为理解记忆形成的方法。我们最近发现了组蛋白变体，它取代了现有的组蛋白并改变了对DNA的访问，作为一种新的记忆表观遗传调节剂。具体来说，我们发现H2A。Z是组蛋白H2A的一种变体，是一种通过未知机制抑制记忆的表观遗传因子。鉴于其普遍表达和与记忆的相关性，我们将重点研究H2A的机制。Z调节是阐明组蛋白在介导行为持久变化中的作用的重要步骤。

Memory formation is a process in which fleeting events produce lasting outcomes by altering gene expression. Mechanisms by which the environment affects genes is not well understood, but it involves epigenetic modifications of histone proteins H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, which regulate access to DNA. My work is focused on understanding how histones regulate access to DNA as a method for understanding how memories form. We recently identified histone variants, which replace existing histones and alter access to DNA, as a novel epigenetic regulator of memory. Specifically, we found that H2A.Z, a variant of histone H2A, is an epigenetic factor that suppress memory through an unknown mechanism. Given its pervasive expression and relevance for memory, we will focus on mechanisms of H2A.Z regulation as an essential step in elucidating the role of histones in mediating lasting changes in behaviour.