Regulation of ATF4 in the Brain on Learning and Memory
ZHANG Tengteng, TU Wanyu, LI Chenchen, JIA Wenge, YI Shanyong, YAO Zhijun, ZHAO Bin*, WEI Lai*
The ATF4 (transcription activating factor 4) belongs to the ATF/CREB transcription factor family of alkaline leucine zipper domain proteins. ATF4 is widely expressed in the brain and plays an important role in stress, pain, synaptic plasticity and neurodegenerative diseases. Learning and memory is one of the higher brain functions. Learning is the process of acquiring new information, and memory is the process of encoding, storing and extracting information, which are considered to be the bases of cognitive activities. Synaptic plasticity is the changes and modifications in morphology, structure and function of synapses, which is widespread in central nervous system and closely connected to the development and higher function of the brain, such as learning and memory. Long-term potentiation and long-term depression of synaptic plasticity are considered to the important foundations on learning and memory formation. Recent studies have shown that ATF4 is bound up with synaptic plasticity and learning and memory, and plays an important role in neurodegenerative diseases, brain injuries and drug addiction and so on. It is necessary that further investigations the role of ATF4 in learning and memory disorders, given it is expected to become a new target for learning and memory related diseases.
CN
EN