Specific de-SUMOylation triggered by acquisition of spatial learning is related to epigenetic changes in the rat hippocampus

Neuroreport. 2013 Dec 4;24(17):976-81. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000000025.

Abstract

Histone acetyltransferase activity by transcriptional cofactors such as CREB-binding protein (CBP) and post-translational modifications by small ubiquitin-like modifier-1 (SUMO-1) have shown to be relevant for synaptic and neuronal activity. Here, we investigate whether SUMOylation of CBP plays a role in spatial learning. We assessed protein levels of CBP/p300, SUMO-1, and CBP SUMOylation in the hippocampi of rats trained on the Morris water maze task. Furthermore, we evaluated the post-translational modifications at Zif268, BDNF, and Arc/Arg3.1 promoters using chromatin immunoprecipitation with anti-Acetyl-Histone H3-Lys14 (H3K14Ac) and SUMO-1. We found that CBP/p300 protein expression is unchanged in animals trained for 7 days. However, H3K14Ac-specific histone acetyltransferase activity showed specific hyperacetylation at promoters of Zif268 and BDNF-pI but not of Arc/Arg3.1 and BDNF-pIV. In naive animals, CBP is selectively SUMOylated and the Arc/Arg3.1 promoter is differentially occupied by SUMO-1, although SUMO-1 levels are unchanged. These results suggest a specific negative regulation by SUMO-1 on CBP function and its effect on epigenetic changes triggered by spatial learning and memory processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CREB-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Histone Acetyltransferases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • SUMO-1 Protein / metabolism*
  • Sumoylation / genetics*

Substances

  • SUMO-1 Protein
  • CREB-Binding Protein
  • Histone Acetyltransferases