Signaling to nuclear transcription factors in the brain

Abstract

In eukaryotes, protein de novo synthesis is mainly controlled at the level of gene transcription by transcription factors in cell nuclei. Transcription factors are nuclear proteins with abilities to recognize particular nucleotide sequences at promoter or enhancer regions on double stranded DNAs, followed by modulation of transcription of their inducible target genes. These transcription factors are categorized into 3 different major classes according to their unique protein motifs. In this article, we have outlined the signal responsiveness of particular transcription factors in the brain. Indeed, nuclear transcription factors rapidly respond to a variety of extracellular signals carried by neurotransmitters, hormones and autacoids as a third messenger in frequent situations. Moreover, delayed neuronal death could involve mechanisms associated with modulation of de novo synthesis of target proteins by the transcription factor activator protein-1 in particular hippocampal subregions after ischemia. Accordingly, it thus appears that transcription factors may play a critical role in long-lasting consolidation of transient signals through modulation of de novo synthesis of inducible target proteins in the brain.