Not just for muscle anymore: Activity and calcium regulation of MEF2-dependent transcription in neuronal survival and differentiation

Abstract

Post-mitotic neurons of the central nervous system express one or more MEF2 proteins from the time of cell-cycle exit through adulthood. Furthermore, it is now evident that MEF2 regulates diverse aspects of neuronal development including cell survival and synaptogenesis. MEF2 proteins are bifunctional transcriptional regulators, a property that arises from the signal-dependent association of MEF2 proteins with distinct chromatin modifying activities. The goal of this chapter is to provide an account of the various control mechanisms that MEF2 proteins are subjected to within the central nervous system, placing a specific emphasis on the contribution of activity- and calcium-dependent signaling pathways.