In the postnatal mammalian brain, two neurogenic sites persist. One is the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle-olfactory bulb (OB) pathway; the other is the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Accumulating evidence indicates that adult-born OB neurons are required for odor discrimination, social interaction, mate recognition and maternal behaviors, while adult hippocampal neurogenesis is responsible for spatial learning and memory and regulates stress responses and depressive behaviors. Although recent studies suggest that transcription factors, growth factors, brain injuries and environments can modulate postnatal neurogenesis in the SVZ and SGZ, the regulatory mechanisms and functions of these neurogenic circuits remain elusive. Currently, we are using cell and mouse models to investigate the role of the Zyxin family protein TRIP6, the transcription co-activator YAP and the Ras-like small GTPase Rab18 in neural stem cell maintenance, adult neurogenesis and maternal behaviors. These will shed light on strategies for treating cancer and neuropsychiatric disorders.