title: Roles for NF-κB and gene targets of NF-κB in synaptic plasticity, memory, and navigation.
abstract: Although traditionally associated with immune function, the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) has garnered much attention in recent years as an important regulator of memory. Specifically, research has found that NF-κB, localized in both neurons and glia, is activated during the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), a paradigm of synaptic plasticity and correlate of memory. Further, experimental manipulation of NF-κB activation or its blockade results in altered memory and spatial navigation abilities. Genetic knockout of specific NF-κB subunits in mice results in memory alterations. Collectively, such data suggest that NF-κB may be a requirement for memory, although the direction of the response (i.e., memory enhancement or deficit) is inconsistent. A limited number of gene targets of NF-κB have been recently identified in neurons, including neurotrophic factors, calcium-regulating proteins, other transcription factors, and molecules associated with neuronal outgrowth and remodeling. In turn, several key molecules are activators of NF-κB, including protein kinase C and [Ca(++)]i. Thus, NF-κB signaling is complex and under the regulation of numerous proteins involved in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. The purpose of this review is to highlight the literature detailing a role for NF-κB in synaptic plasticity, memory, and spatial navigation. Secondly, this review will synthesize the research evaluating gene targets of NF-κB in synaptic plasticity and memory. Although there is ample evidence to suggest a critical role for NF-κB in memory, our understanding of its gene targets in neurons is limited and only beginning to be appreciated.
authors.affiliation: Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Research Centre, R4050 351 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R2H 2A6, wsnow_2001@yahoo.ca.
authors.forename: Wanda M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Snow
authors.forename: Brenda M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Stoesz
authors.forename: Debbie M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Benedict C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Albensi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B