title: New insights in the biology of BDNF synthesis and release: implications in CNS function.
abstract: BDNF has pleiotropic effects on neuronal development and synaptic plasticity that underlie circuit formation and cognitive function. Recent breakthroughs reveal that neuronal activity regulates BDNF cell biology, including Bdnf transcription, dendritic targeting and trafficking of BDNF mRNA and protein, and secretion and extracellular conversion of proBDNF to mature BDNF. Defects in these mechanisms contribute differentially to cognitive dysfunction and anxiety-like behaviors. Here we review recent studies, presented at a symposium at Neuroscience 2009, that describe regulatory mechanisms that permit rapid and dynamic refinement of BDNF actions in neurons.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Baoji
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Bai
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Barbara L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Hempstead
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor