Protein: ARC_RAT
Sequence: MELDHMTTGGLHAYPAPRGGPAAKPNVILQIGKCRAEMLEHVRRTHRHLLTEVSKQVERELKGLHRSVGKLENNLDGYVPTGDSQRWKKSIKACLCRCQETIANLERWVKREMHVWREVFYRLERWADRLESMGGKYPVGSEPARHTVSVGVGGPEPYCQEADGYDYTVSPYAITPPPAAGELPEQESVGAQQYQSWVPGEDGQPSPGVDTQIFEDPREFLSHLEEYLRQVGGSEEYWLSQIQNHMNGPAKKWWEFKQGSVKNWVEFKKEFLQYSEGTLSREAIQRELDLPQKQGEPLDQFLWRKRDLYQTLYVDAEEEEIIQYVVGTLQPKFKRFLRHPLPKTLEQLIQRGMEVQDGLEQAAEPSVTPLPTEDETEALTPALTSESVASDRTQPE
What is the function of this protein?
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).
What are the official names of this protein?
Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein, Activity-regulated gene 3.1 protein, ARC/ARG3.1, Arg3.1.
What is the protein family that this protein belongs to?
Belongs to the ARC/ARG3.1 family.
What are the subcellular locations of this protein?
Extracellular vesicle membrane; Lipid-anchor. Postsynaptic cell membrane; Lipid-anchor. Synapse. Postsynaptic density. Early endosome membrane. Cell projection, dendrite. Cytoplasm, cytoskeleton. Cytoplasm, cell cortex. Cell projection, dendritic spine. Cytoplasmic vesicle, secretory vesicle, acrosome. Note=Forms virion-like extracellular vesicles that are released from neurons (PubMed:29328916). Enriched in postsynaptic density of dendritic spines (PubMed:17088211). Targeted to inactive synapses following interaction with CAMK2B in the kinase inactive state (PubMed:22579289). Accumulation at weaker synapses may be required to prevent their undesired enhancement (PubMed:22579289). Associated with the cell cortex of neuronal soma and dendrites (PubMed:7857651). Associated with the sperm tail (By similarity).