The central nervous system has the remarkable ability to convert changes in the environment in the form of sensory experience into long-term alterations in synaptic connections and dendritic arborization, in part through changes in gene expression. Surprisingly, the molecular mechanisms that translate neuronal activity into changes in neuronal connectivity and morphology remain elusive. Rem2, a member of the Rad/Rem/Rem2/Gem/Kir (RGK) subfamily of small Ras-like GTPases, is a positive regulator of synapse formation and negative regulator of dendritic arborization. Here we identify that one output of Rem2 signaling is the regulation of gene expression. Specifically, we demonstrate that Rem2 signaling modulates the expression of genes required for a variety of cellular processes from neurite extension to synapse formation and synaptic function. Our results highlight Rem2 as a unique molecule that transduces changes in neuronal activity detected at the cell membrane to morphologically relevant changes in gene expression in the nucleus.

中枢神经系统具有非凡的能力，可以部分地通过基因表达的变化将环境变化（以感觉体验的形式）转换为突触连接和树突状乔化的长期变化。令人惊讶的是，将神经元活动转化为神经元连接性和形态变化的分子机制仍然难以捉摸。Rem2是小的Ras样GTPases的Rad / Rem / Rem2 / Gem / Kir（RGK）子家族的成员，是突触形成的正调节剂和树突状乔化的负调节剂。在这里，我们确定Rem2信号的一种输出是基因表达的调节。具体来说，我们证明Rem2信号传导调节从突突延伸到突触形成和突触功能的各种细胞过程所需的基因表达。