Transcriptional Control of Neural Crest Development

Transcriptional Control of Neural Crest Development
Author: Brian L. Nelms
Publisher: Morgan & Claypool Publishers
Total Pages: 227
Release: 2010
Genre: Science
ISBN: 161504048X

The neural crest is a remarkable embryonic population of cells found only in vertebrates and has the potential to give rise to many different cell types contributing throughout the body. These derivatives range from the mesenchymal bone and cartilage comprising the facial skeleton, to neuronal derivatives of the peripheral sensory and autonomic nervous systems, to melanocytes throughout the body, and to smooth muscle of the great arteries of the heart. For these cells to correctly progress from an unspecifi ed, nonmigratory population to a wide array of dynamic, differentiated cell types-some of which retain stem cell characteristics presumably to replenish these derivatives-requires a complex network of molecular switches to control the gene programs giving these cells their defi ning structural, enzymatic, migratory, and signaling capacities. This review will bring together current knowledge of neural crest-specifi c transcription factors governing these progressions throughout the course of development. A more thorough understanding of the mechanisms of transcriptional control in differentiation will aid in strategies designed to push undifferentiated cells toward a particular lineage, and unraveling these processes will help toward reprogramming cells from a differentiated to a more naive state. Table of Contents: Introduction / AP Genes / bHLH Genes / ETS Genes / Fox Genes / Homeobox Genes / Hox Genes / Lim Genes / Pax Genes / POU Domain Genes / RAR/RXR Genes / Smad Genes / Sox Genes / Zinc Finger Genes / Other Miscellaneous Genes / References / Author Biographies

Transcriptional Regulation by Neuronal Activity

Transcriptional Regulation by Neuronal Activity
Author: Serena Dudek
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 426
Release: 2007-11-24
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0387736093

Regulation of gene transcription by neuronal activity is evident in a large number of neuronal processes ranging from neural development and refinement of neuronal connections to learning and response to injury. In the field of activity-dependent gene expression, rapid progress is being made that can impact these, and many other areas of neuroscience. This book offers an up-to-date picture of the field.

Synaptic Function

Synaptic Function
Author: Neurosciences Institute (New York, N.Y.)
Publisher: Wiley-Interscience
Total Pages: 808
Release: 1987
Genre: Medical
ISBN:

This book consists of five sections. The first section details methods for analyzing both presynaptic and postsynaptic function and emphasizes the molecular aspects of synapses. It describes ongoing studies of neurotransmitter release, voltage- sensitive ion channels, and electronic transmission at gap junctions. The second section focuses on the growing menagerie of neurotransmitters: their catagorization into chemical families, their relation to ion channels, their modulation by second messenger systems and their role in pharmacologic action. The third section considers the important relationship of transmitter diversity and synaptic types to the behavior of actual cellular networks. All of the studies described in these sections point to the necessity of considering interactions between anatomy, chemistry, physiology and pharmacology if synaptic function is to be understood at any one of these levels of analysis.

Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 (Cdk5)

Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 (Cdk5)
Author: Nancy Y. Ip
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 326
Release: 2009-02-28
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0387788875

Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 provides a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of reviews on the discovery, signaling mechanisms and functions of Cdk5, as well as the potential implication of Cdk5 in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Since the identification of this unique member of the Cdk family, Cdk5 has emerged as one of the most important signal transduction mediators in the development, maintenance and fine-tuning of neuronal functions and networking. Further studies have revealed that Cdk5 is also associated with the regulation of neuronal survival during both developmental stages and in neurodegenerative diseases. These observations indicate that precise control of Cdk5 is essential for the regulation of neuronal survival. The pivotal role Cdk5 appears to play in both the regulation of neuronal survival and synaptic functions thus raises the interesting possibility that Cdk5 inhibitors may serve as therapeutic treatment for a number of neurodegenerative diseases.

Biology of the NMDA Receptor

Biology of the NMDA Receptor
Author: Antonius M. VanDongen
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 368
Release: 2008-10-29
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 142004415X

The NMDA receptor plays a critical role in the development of the central nervous system and in adult neuroplasticity, learning, and memory. Therefore, it is not surprising that this receptor has been widely studied. However, despite the importance of rhythms for the sustenance of life, this aspect of NMDAR function remains poorly studied. Written

Synapse Development and Maturation

Synapse Development and Maturation
Author: Pasko Rakic
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 560
Release: 2020-05-29
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0128236736

Synapse Development and Maturation, the latest release in the Comprehensive Developmental Neuroscience series, presents the latest information on the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms of neural development. The book provides a much-needed update that underscores the latest research in this rapidly evolving field, with new section editors discussing the technological advances that are enabling the pursuit of new research on brain development. This volume focuses on the synaptogenesis and developmental sequences in the maturation of intrinsic and synapse-driven patterns. - Features leading experts in various subfields as section editors and article authors - Presents articles that have been peer reviewed to ensure accuracy, thoroughness and scholarship - Includes coverage of mechanisms which regulate synapse formation and maintenance during development - Covers neural activity, from cell-intrinsic maturation, to early correlated patterns of activity

Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance

Excitatory-Inhibitory Balance
Author: Takao K. Hensch
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 286
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1461500397

A new perspective on brain function depends upon an understanding of the interaction and integration of excitation and inhibition. A recent surge in research activity focused on inhibitory interneurons now makes a more balanced view possible. Technological advances such as improved imaging methods, visualized patch-clamp recording, multiplex single-cell PCR, and gene-targeted deletion or knock-in mice are some of the novel tools featured in this book. This book will provide an integrated view of neuron function, operating in a balanced regime of excitation and inhibition. It is a timely contribution emphasizing how this balance is established, maintained, and modified from the molecular to system levels. The broad spectrum of topics from molecular to cellular and system/computational neuroscience will appeal to a wide audience of advanced graduate students, post-docs, and faculty. Moreover, this book this book features active young researchers from around the world, who are currently educating the brain scientists of tomorrow.

The Synapse

The Synapse
Author: Morgan Sheng
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2012
Genre: Neural transmission
ISBN: 9781936113026

"A subject collection from Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology"--T.p. verso.

Calcium Entry Channels in Non-Excitable Cells

Calcium Entry Channels in Non-Excitable Cells
Author: Juliusz Ashot Kozak
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 343
Release: 2017-07-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 149875273X

Calcium Entry Channels in Non-Excitable Cells focuses on methods of investigating the structure and function of non-voltage gated calcium channels. Each chapter presents important discoveries in calcium entry pathways, specifically dealing with the molecular identification of store-operated calcium channels which were reviewed by earlier volumes in the Methods in Signal Transduction series. Crystallographic and pharmacological approaches to the study of calcium channels of epithelial cells are also discussed. Calcium ion is a messenger in most cell types. Whereas voltage gated calcium channels have been studied extensively, the non-voltage gated calcium entry channel genes have only been identified relatively recently. The book will fill this important niche.