Self-amplified BDNF transcription is a regulatory system for synaptic maturation in cultured cortical neurons

Neuronal cell survival and synaptic plasticity are controlled through expression of various neurotrophic factors including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In the present study, we examined the mechanism behind BDNF-induced Bdnf mRNA production and the physiological role of its amplification system using cortical neurons. Exogenous BDNF was applied to the cultured cortical neurons at days in vitro (DIV) 3 and DIV 7 with or without inhibitors for intracellular signaling. Expression levels of total Bdnf and Bdnf variants (exon I, exon IV, and exon VI) were biphasically increased after the BDNF application in different developing stage of neurons. Inhibitor for extracellular signal-regulated kinase, calmodulin dependent protein kinase II, or protein kinase A repressed the BDNF-induced Bdnf mRNA expression. Furthermore, we found that application of TrkB-Fc, which scavenges produced endogenous BDNF, resulted in weakened BDNF/TrkB signaling and decreased expression of postsynaptic proteins, suggesting that newly synthesized BDNF induced by the self-amplification system contributes to the synaptic maturation and function. •BDNF induced Bdnf mRNA expression in cultured cortical neurons.•Involvement of MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling in the self-amplification of BDNF.•CREB and CaMK II were involved in the BDNF-induced Bdnf mRNA production.•Newly-synthesized BDNF would contribute to post synaptic protein expression.