Region- and cell type-specific changes in gene expression in the cerebellum after classical fear conditioning

Jungeun Ji; Jinhee Baek; Kyoung-Doo Hwang; Seunghwan Choi; Junko Kasuya; Seung-Eon Roh; Sang Jeong Kim; Ted Abel; Joon-Yong An; Yong-Seok Lee

doi:10.1038/s42003-026-10034-0

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Region- and cell type-specific changes in gene expression in the cerebellum after classical fear conditioning

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Region- and cell type-specific changes in gene expression in the cerebellum after classical fear conditioning

Jungeun Ji, Jinhee Baek, Kyoung-Doo Hwang, Seunghwan Choi, Junko Kasuya, Seung-Eon Roh, Sang Jeong Kim, Ted Abel, Joon-Yong An and Yong-Seok Lee

Communications biology

04/24/2026

DOI: 10.1038/s42003-026-10034-0

PMID: 42032255

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Abstract

The cerebellum has recently been recognized for its role in non-motor functions, including classical fear conditioning. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying non-motor learning and memory remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate the transcriptional changes in the cerebellum associated with auditory fear conditioning. Spatial transcriptomic analysis revealed elevated expression of immediate early genes in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN), an output region of the cerebellum, following fear conditioning (CD) and tone retrieval (TN), suggesting that the DCN may contribute to fear memory processing. To further elucidate transcriptional changes in specific DCN cell types involved in fear processing, we performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing and identified prominent transcriptional changes in Kit+ inhibitory neurons. Collectively, our findings highlight region- and cell-type-specific molecular adaptations in the cerebellum, providing insights into its contribution to non-motor learning.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Region- and cell type-specific changes in gene expression in the cerebellum after classical fear conditioning
Creators: Jungeun Ji - Korea University
Jinhee Baek - Seoul National University
Kyoung-Doo Hwang - Seoul National University
Seunghwan Choi - Korea University
Junko Kasuya - University of Iowa
Seung-Eon Roh - Johns Hopkins University
Sang Jeong Kim - Seoul National University
Ted Abel - University of Iowa
Joon-Yong An - University of Seoul
Yong-Seok Lee - New Generation University College
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Communications biology
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-026-10034-0
PMID: 42032255
NLM abbreviation: Commun Biol
ISSN: 2399-3642
eISSN: 2399-3642
Publisher: Springer Nature
Grant note: RS-2025-25459221 / Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) RS-2024-00439474 / National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 04/24/2026
Academic Unit: Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Record Identifier: 9985157611102771

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