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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Methods for the Modulation and Analysis of NF-κB-dependent Adult Neurogenesis
Published on: February 14, 2014
The basic region and leucine zipper transcription factor MafK is a new nerve growth factor-responsive immediate early
Béata Töröcsik1, James M Angelastro, Lloyd A Greene
1Department of Pathology and Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Abstract:
We used serial analysis of gene expression to identify new NGF-responsive immediate early genes (IEGs) with potential roles in neuronal differentiation. Among those identified was MafK, a small Maf family basic region and leucine zipper transcriptional repressor and coactivator expressed in immature neurons. NGF treatment elevates the levels of both MafK transcripts and protein. In contrast, there is no effect on expression of the closely related MafG. Unlike many other NGF-responsive IEGs, MafK regulation shows selectivity and is unresponsive to epidermal growth factor, depolarization, or cAMP derivatives. Inhibitor studies indicate that NGF-promoted MafK regulation is mediated by an atypical isoform of PKC but not by mitogen-activated kinase kinase, phospholipase Cgamma, or phosphoinositide 3'-kinase. Interference with MafK expression or activity by small interfering RNA and dominant negative strategies, respectively, suppresses NGF-promoted outgrowth and maintenance of neurites by PC12 cells and neurite outgrowth by immature telencephalic neurons. Our findings support a role for MafK as a novel regulator of neuronal differentiation.
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