Myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2), a family of transcription factors originally identified in muscles cells, was recently found to be expressed in the central nervous system. It is involved in the modulation of synapse elimination, a vital process that determines the fate and function of neurons. Recent studies suggested that MEF2 transcription factors are involved in synaptic plasticity, the molecular mechanism underlying learning and memory and other processes involved in dementia and neurodegenerative disease. This review summarizes recent advancements in understanding the role of MEF2 in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer¡¯s disease and Parkinson¡¯s disease, and Fragile X syndrome.

肌细胞增强因子 2 (MEF2) 是最初在肌肉细胞中鉴定的转录因子家族，最近发现在中枢神经系统中表达。它参与调节突触消除，这是一个决定神经元命运和功能的重要过程。最近的研究表明，MEF2 转录因子参与突触可塑性、学习和记忆的分子机制以及参与痴呆和神经退行性疾病的其他过程。本综述总结了最近在理解 MEF2 在神经退行性疾病中的作用方面取得的进展，例如阿尔茨海默病和帕金森病，以及脆性 X 综合征。