Regulation of dendritic growth by calcium and neurotrophin signaling.

ABSTRACT

The development of cortical dendrites is regulated by both activity-dependent and activity-independent signaling. Activity-dependent dendritic growth involves calcium-dependent gene expression. Both CREB and CREST are transactivators that contribute to calcium-dependent dendritic growth. Dendritic development is also regulated by extracellular factors such as neurotrophins. Neurotrophin-dependent dendritic growth is mediated by the MAP kinase and PI 3-kinase pathways. Selective responsiveness to activity cues and neurotrophins may contribute to morphological diversity in the nervous system.