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Astrocytic connection to engram neurons increased after learning

Kim, J.; Sung, Y.; Park, H.; Choi, D. I.; Kim, J.-i.; Lee, H.; Jung, M. K.; Noh, S.; Ye, S.; Lee, J.; Islam, M. A.; Chun, H.; Mun, J. Y.; Kaang, B.-K.

2023-01-26 neuroscience
10.1101/2023.01.25.525617 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Astrocytes directly participate in learning and memory. However, the structural association between astrocytes and memory-encoding engram neurons after learning remains to be elucidated. We developed astrocyte-enhanced green fluorescent protein reconstitution across synaptic partners (eGRASP) to examine tripartite synapses between astrocytes and engram neurons. Using astrocyte-eGRASP, we found that astrocytes had increased connections to engram neurons after learning. Dendritic spines with astrocytic contacts showed enhanced morphology. Live-cell imaging of astrocyte-eGRASP revealed that astrocytic connections are stabilized by neuronal activity. These results indicate that astrocytes distinguish contact between engram neurons and generate engram-specific contact patterns during learning.

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