BDNF selectively regulates GABAA receptor transcription by activation of the JAK/STAT pathway.

The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor (GABA(A)R) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor in the brain. Its multiple subunits show regional, developmental, and disease-related plasticity of expression; however, the regulatory networks controlling GABA(A)R subunit expression remain poorly understood. We report that the seizure-induced decrease in GABA(A)R alpha1 subunit expression ...
associated with epilepsy is mediated by the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway regulated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF- and seizure-dependent phosphorylation of STAT3 cause the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) family member ICER (inducible cAMP early repressor) to bind with phosphorylated CREB at the Gabra1:CRE site. JAK/STAT pathway inhibition prevents the seizure-induced decrease in GABA(A)R alpha1 abundance in vivo and, given that BDNF is known to increase the abundance of GABA(A)R alpha4 in a JAK/STAT-independent manner, indicates that BDNF acts through at least two distinct pathways to influence GABA(A)R-dependent synaptic inhibition.
Mesh Terms:
Animals, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, CREB-Binding Protein, Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator, Epilepsy, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Janus Kinases, Male, Rats, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Receptors, GABA-A, STAT3 Transcription Factor, Signal Transduction, Synaptic Membranes
Sci Signal
Date: Oct. 14, 2008
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