p300/CBP histone acetyltransferase activity is required for newly acquired and reactivated fear memories in the lateral amygdala

Abstract

Modifications in chromatin structure have been widely implicated in memory and cognition, most notably using hippocampal-dependent memory paradigms including object recognition, spatial memory, and contextual fear memory. Relatively little is known, however, about the role of chromatin-modifying enzymes in amygdala-dependent memory formation. Here, we use a combination of biochemical, behavioral, and neurophysiological methods to systematically examine the role of p300/CBP histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity in the consolidation and reconsolidation of auditory Pavlovian fear memories. We show that local infusions of c646, a selective pharmacological inhibitor of p300/CBP activity, shortly following either fear conditioning or fear memory retrieval impair training and retrieval-related regulation of histone acetylation in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA). Furthermore, we show that intra-LA infusion of c646 significantly impairs fear memory consolidation, reconsolidation, and associated neural plasticity in the LA. Our findings collectively suggest that p300/CBP HAT activity is critical for the consolidation and reconsolidation of amygdala-dependent Pavlovian fear memories.