Astrocyte-to-neuron H₂O₂ signalling supports long-term memory formation in Drosophila and is impaired in an Alzheimer's disease model.

ABSTRACT: Astrocytes help protect neurons from potential damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). While ROS can also exert beneficial effects, it remains unknown how neuronal ROS signalling is activated during memory formation, and whether astrocytes play a role in this process. Here we discover an astrocyte-to-neuron H₂O₂ signalling cascade in Drosophila that is essential for long-term memory formation. Stimulation of astrocytes by acetylcholine induces an increase in intracellular calcium ions, which triggers the generation of extracellular superoxide (O₂•^-) by astrocytic NADPH oxidase. Astrocyte-secreted superoxide dismutase 3 (Sod3) converts O₂•^- to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is imported into neur

SUBMITTER: Rabah Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11860231 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature