CCAAT Enhancer Binding Proteins in the Nervous System: Their Role in Development, Differentiation, Long-Term Synaptic Plasticity, and Memory

The CCAAT enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors is expressed in several cell types, and is implicated in acute phase responses, stress, and terminal differentiation. In the central nervous system (CNS), C/EBPs are expressed in neurons, where they play a role in developmental neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, and apoptosis. They are also expressed in glia, where they participate in the regulation of energy metabolism and in responses to inflammation. Finally, as part of the gene cascade regulated by cAMP and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), C/EBP family members play critical roles during long-term synaptic plasticity and memory formation.