# Complex genetic encoding of experience by NPAS4 resulting in a sophisticated reorganization of inhibition.

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $38,965

## Abstract

Project Abstract
When a mouse explores an enriched environment the pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region of its hippocampus
receive excitatory inputs and fire action potentials to encode information about their complex environment. This
experience-induced activity results in the expression of the activity dependent transcription factor NPAS4 via de
novo transcription and translation, as well as local dendritic translation of preexisting NPAS4 mRNA. This
enriched environment induced NPAS4 produces changes in gene expression resulting in a sophisticated
reorganization of inhibition across the somato-dendritic axis, with an increase in the number CCK Basket Cell
synapses onto the somatic region and a decrease in the number of inhibitory synapses on the radiatum dendrites
of NPAS4 expressing cells. This proposal describes experiments designed to determine 1) the genetic identity
of the radiatum targeting interneuron type which loses synapses onto NPAS4 expressing cells, and 2) the
necessity of dendritic translation of NPAS4 in this sophisticated reorganization. These experiments will provide
insight into fundamental biology underlying the complex regulation of inhibitory networks and the role that
experience and activity dependent dendritic translation play in this process. Given the known relationships
between dysregulation of inhibition, dendritic translation, and a variety of neurological disorders with experience
dependent symptomology, this work will aid our understanding of neurological function and dysfunction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10155109
- **Project number:** 1F31MH124355-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel A Heinz
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $38,965
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-12-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10155109

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10155109, Complex genetic encoding of experience by NPAS4 resulting in a sophisticated reorganization of inhibition. (1F31MH124355-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10155109. Licensed CC0.

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