REGULATION OF BDNF PROMOTERS IN THE RAT HIPPOCAMPUS

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor belongs to the neurotrophin family o f trophic factors. Recently we have described four promoters in the BD NF gene. We have analyzed the hippocampal expression pattern of BDNF m RNA's containing different 5' exons during postnatal development. This analysis has revealed distinct regulation of promoters I and II compa red to promoters III and IV, which suggests the presence of common reg ulatory elements for these clusters of promoters. Induction of differe nt BDNF promoters after treatment with kainic acid combined with gluta mate antgonists MK801 and NBQX discloses the differential participatio n of different glutamate receptor subtypes in regulation of the BDNF g ene in the hippocampus