title: Biological functions and transcriptional targets of CaRF in neurons.
abstract: Calcium-response factor (CaRF) is a unique DNA-binding protein first recognized as a transcription factor for its role in modulating transcription of the gene encoding Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in neurons. Here I review evidence for the biological functions and transcriptional targets of CaRF in the brain and discuss potential mechanisms by which calcium-activated signaling pathways may modulate CaRF-dependent transcription. These data paint an emerging picture of CaRF as a regulatory nexus for signaling pathways that control aspects of synaptic development and neuronal function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Box 3209, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. west@neuro.duke.edu
authors.forename: Anne E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C448259:Carf protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors