Chapter IX Mapping neuropathology with inducible and constitutive transcription factors

Abstract

Neuroanatomical mapping studies using antibodies for transcriptions factors and/or their activated states have revealed biochemical pathways that may regulate nerve cell survival after brain injury—for example, calcium responsive element binding protein (CREB) activation. Certain transcription factors detect axonal damage and may play a key role in activating an axonal regrowth program. These pathways are described in this chapter. The way the biochemical effectors of apoptosis and anti-apoptosis pathways in neurons may be regulated by transcription factors is discussed in the chapter. Brain mapping using inducible transcription factors, and more recently phosphorylation-specific antibodies for constitutive and inducible transcription factors, have provided the first clues about which pathways are responsible for nerve cell death, survival, and axotomy in the brain after injury.