title: Transcriptional Control of Synaptic Plasticity by Transcription Factor NF-κB.
abstract: Activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) transcription factors is required for the induction of synaptic plasticity and memory formation. All components of this signaling pathway are localized at synapses, and transcriptionally active NF-κB dimers move to the nucleus to translate synaptic signals into altered gene expression. Neuron-specific inhibition results in altered connectivity of excitatory and inhibitory synapses and functionally in selective learning deficits. Recent research on transgenic mice with impaired or hyperactivated NF-κB gave important insights into plasticity-related target gene expression that is regulated by NF-κB. In this minireview, we update the available data on the role of this transcription factor for learning and memory formation and comment on cross-sectional activation of NF-κB in the aged and diseased brain that may directly or indirectly affect κB-dependent transcription of synaptic genes.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Engelmann
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstrasse 11, 07745 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haenold
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B