Arc gene transports mRNA's across synapses

[Roger Critchlow-2]

In case you thought you understood the general molecular biology of life, here's another curve ball for you:

http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31504-0

Summary

The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the mammalian brain, mediates various forms of synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about Arc’s molecular function and evolutionary origins. Here, we show that Arc self-assembles into virus-like capsids that encapsulate RNA. Endogenous Arc protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of Arc mRNA into new target cells, where it can undergo activity-dependent translation. Purified Arc capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer Arc mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons. These results show that Arc exhibits similar molecular properties to retroviral Gag proteins. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Arc is derived from a vertebrate lineage of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, which are also ancestors to retroviruses. These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system.

-- rec --

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

[Marcus G. Daniels]

"These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system."

Glen's so-called "fast moving" zombies!

Marcus

---

From: Friam <[hidden email]> on behalf of Roger Critchlow <[hidden email]>
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2018 5:47:01 PM
To: The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group
Subject: [FRIAM] Arc gene transports mRNA's across synapses

 

In case you thought you understood the general molecular biology of life, here's another curve ball for you:

http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31504-0

Summary

The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the mammalian brain, mediates various forms of synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about Arc’s molecular function and evolutionary origins. Here, we show that Arc self-assembles into virus-like capsids that encapsulate RNA. Endogenous Arc protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of Arc mRNA into new target cells, where it can undergo activity-dependent translation. Purified Arc capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer Arc mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons. These results show that Arc exhibits similar molecular properties to retroviral Gag proteins. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Arc is derived from a vertebrate lineage of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, which are also ancestors to retroviruses. These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system.

-- rec --

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

[Frank Wimberly-2]

Now I understand how consciousness is possible.  (irony)

On Jan 13, 2018 5:59 PM, "Roger Critchlow" <[hidden email]> wrote:

In case you thought you understood the general molecular biology of life, here's another curve ball for you:

http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31504-0

Summary

The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the mammalian brain, mediates various forms of synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about Arc’s molecular function and evolutionary origins. Here, we show that Arc self-assembles into virus-like capsids that encapsulate RNA. Endogenous Arc protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of Arc mRNA into new target cells, where it can undergo activity-dependent translation. Purified Arc capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer Arc mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons. These results show that Arc exhibits similar molecular properties to retroviral Gag proteins. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Arc is derived from a vertebrate lineage of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, which are also ancestors to retroviruses. These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system.

-- rec --

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

[Nick Thompson]

Wow!  I wonder what else they could carry into neurons.   N

 

Nicholas S. Thompson

Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Biology

Clark University

http://home.earthlink.net/~nickthompson/naturaldesigns/

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Roger Critchlow
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2018 5:47 PM
To: The Friday Morning Applied Complexity Coffee Group <[hidden email]>
Subject: [FRIAM] Arc gene transports mRNA's across synapses

 

In case you thought you understood the general molecular biology of life, here's another curve ball for you:

 

http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31504-0

 

Summary

The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the mammalian brain, mediates various forms of synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about Arc’s molecular function and evolutionary origins. Here, we show that Arc self-assembles into virus-like capsids that encapsulate RNA. Endogenous Arc protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of Arc mRNA into new target cells, where it can undergo activity-dependent translation. Purified Arc capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer Arc mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons. These results show that Arc exhibits similar molecular properties to retroviral Gag proteins. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Arc is derived from a vertebrate lineage of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, which are also ancestors to retroviruses. These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system.

-- rec --

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

[Barry MacKichan]

Object-oriented programming in the cell, with encapsulated code!

--Barry

On 13 Jan 2018, at 17:47, Roger Critchlow wrote:

In case you thought you understood the general molecular biology of life, here's another curve ball for you:

http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31504-0

Summary

The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the mammalian brain, mediates various forms of synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about Arc’s molecular function and evolutionary origins. Here, we show that Arc self-assembles into virus-like capsids that encapsulate RNA. Endogenous Arc protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of Arc mRNA into new target cells, where it can undergo activity-dependent translation. Purified Arc capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer Arc mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons. These results show that Arc exhibits similar molecular properties to retroviral Gag proteins. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Arc is derived from a vertebrate lineage of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, which are also ancestors to retroviruses. These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system.

-- rec --

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

[Tom Johnson]

Roger:

I really appreciate your sending this along.  That said, wouldn't it be grand if authors of papers like this would embed in the summary a link to a sidebar showing "Here's how we did this." i.e. how does one render "Purified Arc capsids"?

TJ

On Jan 15, 2018 12:19 PM, "Barry MacKichan" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Object-oriented programming in the cell, with encapsulated code!

--Barry

On 13 Jan 2018, at 17:47, Roger Critchlow wrote:

In case you thought you understood the general molecular biology of life, here's another curve ball for you:

http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31504-0

Summary

The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the mammalian brain, mediates various forms of synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about Arc’s molecular function and evolutionary origins. Here, we show that Arc self-assembles into virus-like capsids that encapsulate RNA. Endogenous Arc protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of Arc mRNA into new target cells, where it can undergo activity-dependent translation. Purified Arc capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer Arc mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons. These results show that Arc exhibits similar molecular properties to retroviral Gag proteins. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Arc is derived from a vertebrate lineage of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, which are also ancestors to retroviruses. These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system.

-- rec --

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

[Marcus G. Daniels]

< That said, wouldn't it be grand if authors of papers like this would embed in the summary a link to a sidebar showing "Here's how we did this." i.e. how does one render "Purified Arc capsids"? >

The Cell paper explains in terse "you should know this" language.  I agree it would be nice if publishers would add value by providing link modes in the browser to reference not just prior work, but also textbook explanations for technical terms and techniques.  That would make topics like this understandable to a larger (motivated) audience.  Not every topic should expect a reader to unfold references back in time indefinitely.   

Marcus

---

From: Friam <[hidden email]> on behalf of Tom Johnson <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2018 2:12:21 PM
To: Friam@redfish. com
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] Arc gene transports mRNA's across synapses

 

Roger:

I really appreciate your sending this along.  That said, wouldn't it be grand if authors of papers like this would embed in the summary a link to a sidebar showing "Here's how we did this." i.e. how does one render "Purified Arc capsids"?

TJ

On Jan 15, 2018 12:19 PM, "Barry MacKichan" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Object-oriented programming in the cell, with encapsulated code!

--Barry

On 13 Jan 2018, at 17:47, Roger Critchlow wrote:

In case you thought you understood the general molecular biology of life, here's another curve ball for you:

http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31504-0

Summary

The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the mammalian brain, mediates various forms of synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about Arc’s molecular function and evolutionary origins. Here, we show that Arc self-assembles into virus-like capsids that encapsulate RNA. Endogenous Arc protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of Arc mRNA into new target cells, where it can undergo activity-dependent translation. Purified Arc capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer Arc mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons. These results show that Arc exhibits similar molecular properties to retroviral Gag proteins. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Arc is derived from a vertebrate lineage of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, which are also ancestors to retroviruses. These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system.

-- rec --

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

[Roger Critchlow-2]

Tom --

The original twitter thread where I learned of the paper was https://twitter.com/casa_tuthill/status/951902638571905024 and it expressed a mixture of respect and jealousy for the groups reporting the discovery.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/brain-cells-can-share-information-using-a-gene-that-came-from-viruses/550403/ might clarify, but it's still a bit abbreviated.

Clearly, once they had isolated the gene, they would have found the family resemblance to the retroviruses that they eventually used to identify the ancestor gene, but that resemblance would have been more puzzling than helpful.

Searching twitter for "arc gene" generates an interesting list of tweets about the discovery.

 -- rec --

On Mon, Jan 15, 2018 at 4:47 PM, Marcus Daniels <[hidden email]> wrote:

< That said, wouldn't it be grand if authors of papers like this would embed in the summary a link to a sidebar showing "Here's how we did this." i.e. how does one render "Purified Arc capsids"? >

The Cell paper explains in terse "you should know this" language.  I agree it would be nice if publishers would add value by providing link modes in the browser to reference not just prior work, but also textbook explanations for technical terms and techniques.  That would make topics like this understandable to a larger (motivated) audience.  Not every topic should expect a reader to unfold references back in time indefinitely.   

Marcus

---

From: Friam <[hidden email]> on behalf of Tom Johnson <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2018 2:12:21 PM
To: Friam@redfish. com
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] Arc gene transports mRNA's across synapses

 

Roger:

I really appreciate your sending this along.  That said, wouldn't it be grand if authors of papers like this would embed in the summary a link to a sidebar showing "Here's how we did this." i.e. how does one render "Purified Arc capsids"?

TJ

On Jan 15, 2018 12:19 PM, "Barry MacKichan" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Object-oriented programming in the cell, with encapsulated code!

--Barry

On 13 Jan 2018, at 17:47, Roger Critchlow wrote:

In case you thought you understood the general molecular biology of life, here's another curve ball for you:

http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31504-0

Summary

The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the mammalian brain, mediates various forms of synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about Arc’s molecular function and evolutionary origins. Here, we show that Arc self-assembles into virus-like capsids that encapsulate RNA. Endogenous Arc protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of Arc mRNA into new target cells, where it can undergo activity-dependent translation. Purified Arc capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer Arc mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons. These results show that Arc exhibits similar molecular properties to retroviral Gag proteins. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Arc is derived from a vertebrate lineage of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, which are also ancestors to retroviruses. These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system.

-- rec --

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

[Tom Johnson]

Thanks, gentlemen.

TJ

On Jan 15, 2018 6:30 PM, "Roger Critchlow" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Tom --

The original twitter thread where I learned of the paper was https://twitter.com/casa_tuthill/status/951902638571905024 and it expressed a mixture of respect and jealousy for the groups reporting the discovery.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/brain-cells-can-share-information-using-a-gene-that-came-from-viruses/550403/ might clarify, but it's still a bit abbreviated.

Clearly, once they had isolated the gene, they would have found the family resemblance to the retroviruses that they eventually used to identify the ancestor gene, but that resemblance would have been more puzzling than helpful.

Searching twitter for "arc gene" generates an interesting list of tweets about the discovery.

 -- rec --

On Mon, Jan 15, 2018 at 4:47 PM, Marcus Daniels <[hidden email]> wrote:

< That said, wouldn't it be grand if authors of papers like this would embed in the summary a link to a sidebar showing "Here's how we did this." i.e. how does one render "Purified Arc capsids"? >

The Cell paper explains in terse "you should know this" language.  I agree it would be nice if publishers would add value by providing link modes in the browser to reference not just prior work, but also textbook explanations for technical terms and techniques.  That would make topics like this understandable to a larger (motivated) audience.  Not every topic should expect a reader to unfold references back in time indefinitely.   

Marcus

---

From: Friam <[hidden email]> on behalf of Tom Johnson <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2018 2:12:21 PM
To: Friam@redfish. com
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] Arc gene transports mRNA's across synapses

 

Roger:

I really appreciate your sending this along.  That said, wouldn't it be grand if authors of papers like this would embed in the summary a link to a sidebar showing "Here's how we did this." i.e. how does one render "Purified Arc capsids"?

TJ

On Jan 15, 2018 12:19 PM, "Barry MacKichan" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Object-oriented programming in the cell, with encapsulated code!

--Barry

On 13 Jan 2018, at 17:47, Roger Critchlow wrote:

In case you thought you understood the general molecular biology of life, here's another curve ball for you:

http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(17)31504-0

Summary

The neuronal gene Arc is essential for long-lasting information storage in the mammalian brain, mediates various forms of synaptic plasticity, and has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about Arc’s molecular function and evolutionary origins. Here, we show that Arc self-assembles into virus-like capsids that encapsulate RNA. Endogenous Arc protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of Arc mRNA into new target cells, where it can undergo activity-dependent translation. Purified Arc capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer Arc mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons. These results show that Arc exhibits similar molecular properties to retroviral Gag proteins. Evolutionary analysis indicates that Arc is derived from a vertebrate lineage of Ty3/gypsy retrotransposons, which are also ancestors to retroviruses. These findings suggest that Gag retroelements have been repurposed during evolution to mediate intercellular communication in the nervous system.

-- rec --

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ by Dr. Strangelove