Rat Activity-regulated Cytoskeleton-associated Protein, ARC ELI

Master regulator of synaptic plasticity that self-assembles into virion-like capsids that encapsulate RNAs and mediate intercellular RNA transfer in the nervous system (PubMed: 29328916).

ARC protein is released from neurons in extracellular vesicles that mediate the transfer of ARC mRNA into new target cells, where ARC mRNA can undergo activity-dependent translation (PubMed: 29328916).

ARC capsids are endocytosed and are able to transfer ARC mRNA into the cytoplasm of neurons (PubMed: 29328916).

Acts as a key regulator of synaptic plasticity: required for protein synthesis-dependent forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) and for the formation of long-term memory (PubMed: 10818134, PubMed: 17088211, PubMed: 17088212, PubMed: 17088213).

Regulates synaptic plasticity by promoting endocytosis of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) in response to synaptic activity: this endocytic pathway maintains levels of surface AMPARs in response to chronic changes in neuronal activity through synaptic scaling, thereby contributing to neuronal homeostasis (PubMed: 17088211, PubMed: 17088212).

Acts as a postsynaptic mediator of activity-dependent synapse elimination in the developing cerebellum by mediating elimination of surplus climbing fiber synapses (PubMed: 23791196).

Accumulates at weaker synapses, probably to prevent their undesired enhancement (PubMed: 22579289).

This suggests that ARC-containing virion-like capsids may be required to eliminate synaptic material (PubMed: 29328916).

Required to transduce experience into long-lasting changes in visual cortex plasticity and for long-term memory (PubMed: 10818134).

Involved in postsynaptic trafficking and processing of amyloid-beta A4 (APP) via interaction with PSEN1 (By similarity).

In addition to its role in synapses, also involved in the regulation of the immune system: specifically expressed in skin-migratory dendritic cells and regulates fast dendritic cell migration, thereby regulating T-cell activation (By similarity).