Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2013, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (9): 843-852.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.09.009

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Mechanisms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/ brain-derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway in depressive disorder

Hongyan Wang1, 2, Yingquan Zhang3, Mingqi Qiao1   

  1. 1 Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China
    2 Taishan Medical University, Taian 271000, Shandong Province, China
    3 Taian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taian 271000, Shandong Province, China
  • Received:2012-12-10 Revised:2013-01-20 Online:2013-03-25 Published:2013-03-25
  • Contact: Mingqi Qiao, Ph.D., Doctoral supervisor, Professor, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, Shandong Province, China, qmingqi@163.com.
  • About author:Hongyan Wang☆, Studying for doctorate, Associate professor.
  • Supported by:

    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81202620, and the Domestic Visiting Scholar Program for Young Talent Teachers in University of Shandong Province.

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Abstract:

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway plays an important role in the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs and has dominated recent studies on the pathogenesis of depression. In the present review we summarize the known roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, cAMP response element-binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the pathogenesis of depression and in the mechanism of action of antidepressant medicines. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathway has potential to be used as a biological index to help diagnose depression, and as such it is considered as an important new target in the treatment of depression.

Key words: neural regeneration, reviews, depression, mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, cAMP response element-binding protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, 5-hydroxytryptamine, grants-supported paper, neuroregeneration