Myocyte enhancer factor-2 transcription factors in neuronal differentiation and survival

Myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) transcription factors regulate genes that control critical cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Although MEF2 proteins were first identified as transcription factors that bound A/T rich DNA sequences and controlled muscle-specific genes during myogenic development, it is now apparent that MEF2 transcription factors are also highly expressed in neurons and are critical determinants of neuronal differentiation and fate. Here we focus our discussion on the role of MEF2 proteins in nervous tissue and the regulation of these transcription factors by calcium and phosphorylation signaling pathways.