Molecular and cellular adaptations in nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons (MSNs) underlie stress-induced depression-like behavior, but the molecular substrates mediating cellular plasticity and activity in MSN subtypes in stress susceptibility are poorly understood. We find the transcription factor early growth response 3 (EGR3) is increased in D1 receptor containing MSNs of mice susceptible to social defeat stress. Genetic reduction of Egr3 levels in D1-MSNs prevented depression-like outcomes in stress susceptible mice by preventing D1-MSN dendritic atrophy, reduced frequency of excitatory input and altered in vivo activity. Overall, we identify NAc neuronal-subtype molecular control of dendritic morphology and related functional adaptations, which underlie susceptibility to stress.

中文翻译：

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树突萎缩的分子基础和应激敏感性活动。

伏伏核（NAc）中棘神经元（MSNs）的分子和细胞适应是应激诱导的抑郁样行为的基础，但在应激易感性中介导MSN亚型中细胞可塑性和活性的分子底物知之甚少。我们发现转录因子的早期生长反应3（EGR3）在包含D1受体的易患社交失衡压力的小鼠MSNs中增加。D1-MSNs中Egr3水平的遗传降低通过预防D1-MSN树突萎缩，减少了兴奋性输入的频率并改变了体内活性，从而预防了应激易感小鼠的抑郁样结果。总体而言，我们确定树突状形态和相关的功能适应，NAC神经元亚型分子控制的基础上的压力易感性。