1. Furin promotes dendritic morphogenesis and learning and memory in transgenic mice.
- Author
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Zhu, Binglin, Zhao, Lige, Luo, Dong, Xu, Demei, Tan, Tao, Dong, Zhifang, Tang, Ying, Min, Zhuo, Deng, Xiaojuan, Sun, Fei, Yan, Zhen, and Chen, Guojun
- Subjects
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FURIN protein , *DENDRITIC cells , *TRANSGENIC mice , *PROPROTEIN convertases , *POSTSYNAPTIC potential - Abstract
Furin is a proprotein convertase implicated in a variety of pathological processes including neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of furin in neuronal plasticity and learning and memory remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that in brain-specific furin transgenic (Furin-Tg) mice, the dendritic spine density and proliferation of neural progenitor cells were significantly increased. These mice exhibited enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) and spatial learning and memory performance, without alterations of miniature excitatory/inhibitory postsynaptic currents. In the cortex and hippocampus of Furin-Tg mice, the ratio of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) to pro-BDNF, and the activities of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) were significantly elevated. We also found that hippocampal knockdown of CREB diminished the facilitation of LTP and cognitive function in Furin-Tg mice. Together, our results demonstrate that furin enhances dendritic morphogenesis and learning and memory in transgenic mice, which may be associated with BDNF-ERK-CREB signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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