脑内ATF4对学习记忆的调节作用

Regulation of ATF4 in the Brain on Learning and Memory

转录激活因子4(ATF4)属于碱性亮氨酸拉链结构域蛋白中的ATF/CREB转录因子家族,ATF4在脑内广泛表达,在应激、痛觉、突触可塑性和神经退行性变等中发挥重要作用。学习与记忆是脑的高级功能之一,学习是获取新信息的过程,记忆是将信息进行编码、储存及提取的过程,二者被认为是认知活动的基础。突触可塑性是突触在形态、结构和功能上的可变性和可修饰性,与神经系统的发育和学习记忆等脑的高级功能密切相关。突触可塑性的长时程增强和长时程抑制是学习和记忆形成的基础。近年来研究发现,ATF4与突触可塑性和学习记忆密切相关,其在神经退行性变、脑损伤和药物成瘾等疾病中扮演重要角色,有必要深入理解ATF4在学习记忆障碍相关疾病中发挥的作用,为相关疾病的治疗提供新靶点。

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.