Mobility-Shift DNA-Binding Assay Using Gel Electrophoresis

Transcription factors are induced in neurons to alter gene expression to adapt to brain injury caused by exposure to neurotoxins, neurodegeneration disease, or mechanical damage. These DNA-binding proteins bind to specific recognition sequences in the promoter region of genes to regulate transcription. Genes related to both regeneration and degeneration are regulated by transcription factors. Therefore, the fate of a neuron is determined by which transcription factors are expressed within a particular cell.