Credit: Elissa Pastuzyn
A protein involved in cognition and long-term memory, called Arc, acts like a protein from viruses. Arc can encapsulate and deliver its own genetic material to brain cells (neurons) similar to the way viruses infect host cells. This picture shows neurons that have taken up Arc and are expressing the genetic material stored within it.its own genetic material to brain cells (light green branching blobs) in a manner similar to the way in which viruses infect host cells.