Regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor exon IV transcription through calcium responsive elements in cortical neurons.

ABSTRACT: Activity-dependent transcription of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been studied as an important model to elucidate the mechanisms underlying numerous aspects of neuroplasticity. It has been extensively emphasized that Ca(2+) influx through different routes may have significantly different effects on BDNF transcription. Here, we examined the regulatory property of the major calcium responsive elements (CaRE) in BDNF promoter IV in cultured rat cortical neurons. BDNF promoter IV, as well as CaRE1 and CaRE3, was significantly activated by Ca(2+) influx through L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (L-VGCC) or NMDA receptor (NMDAR). However, the L-VGCC- and NMDAR-mediated activation of CaRE was differentially regulated by different Ca(2+)-stimulated protein kinases. Specifically,

SUBMITTER: Zheng F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3235121 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature