Progress in the relationship of phosphodiesterases inhibitors and signal transduction pathway associated with learning and memory

A large number of studies indicates that cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)directly or indirectly activates the transcription of certain gene such as c-fos,c-jun,BDNF,et al,and then expresses the certain protein molecules and neurotrophic factor,which plays an important role in the renewable,survival and repair of neurons in the stress injury and learning and memory. Phosphodiesterases(PDEs) can hydrolyze cyclic AMP (cAMP)and cyclic (GMP),affect its downstream signal transduction,and play a role in the regulation of CREB. This article reviews the progress in the relationship of phosphodiesterases inhibitors and signal transduction pathway associated with learning and memory and the role of its effects on learning and memory disorders,to explore the prospects of phosphodiesterase as new drug targets for neurodegenerative disorders.