Intracellular signaling is essential for development, differentiation, survival and plasticity. G Proteins, Cyclic Nucleotides, Calcium, Phosphoinositides, Phosphorylation of different amino acids and Transcription Factors, are the main ways by which cells establish intracellular signaling in the nervous system. In this section you will find information about how these pathways are affected in different neuropaediatric disorders.
The lysosome signalization function: new mechanisms of neurological diseases The role and the fame of the lysosomes in cell metabolism are mainly connected to their well-known activity of “garbage collectors”. They are plenty of hydrolytic enzymes that degrade different types of useless macromolecules, thus generating smaller, simpler basic molecules that can enter once again in the flow of the biochemical pathways of the cells. […]
Disruption of active zone affects synaptic vesicles only partially The active zones are specific sites of presynaptic terminals where the docking and the release of synaptic vesicles occur. They are complex, organized protein structures that anchor synaptic vesicles to the plasma membrane. Once bound to the active zone and docked to the plasma membrane, synaptic vesicles can properly respond to the changes of action […]
Adenosine receptors may help neuronal regeneration A fundamental step in neuronal development is constituted by the axonal growth and the dendritic branching. Many intra- and extra-cellular signals regulate this process, indeed is very important that the growth of neuronal extremities follow a precise direction in order to reach their target cells. The distal tip of the axon is a specialized structure […]
Role of lipids in the secretory pathway Exocytosis is an essential cellular activity, particularly evident in neuronal network. The secretion of proteins and other molecules, packed into lipid membranes, or granules, starts in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), involves the Golgi apparatus, and ends on the surface of the plasma membrane. The transport of molecules to be released outside the cells requires a […]
Modulation of inhibitory networks by gephyrin The glycinergic and the GABAergic neurotransmission are essential inhibitory networks. Glycinergic synapses are mostly present in the spinal cord, brainstem and retina, while GABAergic synapses are preponderant in the fore-brain. Anyway, both types of receptors are often together at post-synaptic regions, thus regulating the neurotransmission at the same time but with different action mechanisms. GABAA […]
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