Abstract
Background: Knowledge of molecular marker (typically protein or mRNA) expression in neural systems can provide insight to the chemical blueprint of signal processing and transmission, assist in tracking developmental or pathological progressions, and yield key information regarding potential medicinal targets. These markers are particularly relevant in the mammalian brain in the light of its unsurpassed cellular diversity. Accordingly, molecular expression profiling is rapidly becoming a major approach to classify neuron types. Despite a profusion of research, however, the biological functions of molecular markers commonly used to distinguish neuron types remain incompletely understood. Furthermore, most molecular markers of mammalian neuron types are also present in other organs, therefore complicating considerations of their potential pharmacological interactions.
Objective: Here, we survey 15 prominent neurochemical markers from five categories, namely membrane transporters, calcium-binding proteins, neuropeptides, receptors, and extracellular matrix proteins, explaining their relation and relevance to synaptic communication.
Method: For each marker, we summarize fundamental structural features, cellular functionality, distributions within and outside the brain, as well as known drug effectors and mechanisms of action.
Conclusion: This essential primer thus links together the cellular complexity of the brain, the chemical properties of key molecular players in neurotransmission, and possible biomedical opportunities.
Keywords: Molecular markers, membrane transporters, calcium-binding proteins, neuropeptides, receptors, extracellular matrix proteins, neuron types, drug effectors.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Neurochemical Markers in the Mammalian Brain: Structure, Roles in Synaptic Communication, and Pharmacological Relevance
Volume: 24 Issue: 28
Author(s): Christopher L. Rees , Charise M. White and Giorgio A. Ascoli*
Affiliation:
- George Mason University, MS2A1, Fairfax, VA 22030,United States
Keywords: Molecular markers, membrane transporters, calcium-binding proteins, neuropeptides, receptors, extracellular matrix proteins, neuron types, drug effectors.
Abstract: Background: Knowledge of molecular marker (typically protein or mRNA) expression in neural systems can provide insight to the chemical blueprint of signal processing and transmission, assist in tracking developmental or pathological progressions, and yield key information regarding potential medicinal targets. These markers are particularly relevant in the mammalian brain in the light of its unsurpassed cellular diversity. Accordingly, molecular expression profiling is rapidly becoming a major approach to classify neuron types. Despite a profusion of research, however, the biological functions of molecular markers commonly used to distinguish neuron types remain incompletely understood. Furthermore, most molecular markers of mammalian neuron types are also present in other organs, therefore complicating considerations of their potential pharmacological interactions.
Objective: Here, we survey 15 prominent neurochemical markers from five categories, namely membrane transporters, calcium-binding proteins, neuropeptides, receptors, and extracellular matrix proteins, explaining their relation and relevance to synaptic communication.
Method: For each marker, we summarize fundamental structural features, cellular functionality, distributions within and outside the brain, as well as known drug effectors and mechanisms of action.
Conclusion: This essential primer thus links together the cellular complexity of the brain, the chemical properties of key molecular players in neurotransmission, and possible biomedical opportunities.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Rees L. Christopher, White M. Charise and Ascoli A. Giorgio *, Neurochemical Markers in the Mammalian Brain: Structure, Roles in Synaptic Communication, and Pharmacological Relevance, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2017; 24 (28) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170414163506
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867324666170414163506 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
Current advances in inherited cardiomyopathy
Describe in detail all novel advances in multimodality imaging related to inherited cardiomyopathy diagnosis and prognosis. Shed light to deeper phenotypic characterization. Acknowledge recent advances in genetics, genomics and precision medicineread more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Therapeutic Value of Black Seed Oil in Methotrexate Hepatotoxicity in Egyptian Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 1: a Novel Anti-angiogenesis Target from TGF-β Family
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry New Strategies in the Chemotherapy of Leukemia: Eradicating Cancer Stem Cells in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Current Cancer Drug Targets Potential Therapeutic Targets of Curcumin, Most Abundant Active Compound of Turmeric Spice: Role in the Management of Various Types of Cancer
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Wnt / β-Catenin Signaling Pathway as Novel Cancer Drug Targets
Current Cancer Drug Targets Cancer-Targeted Oncolytic Adenoviruses for Modulation of the Immune System
Current Cancer Drug Targets Towards Understanding the Role of Cancer-Associated Inflammation in Chemoresistance
Current Pharmaceutical Design Toxicological Aspects of Carbon Nanotubes, Fullerenes and Graphenes
Current Pharmaceutical Design New Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Microparticles with Paclitaxel Sustained Release for Intraperitoneal Administration
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Statins-Mediated Inhibition of Rho GTPases as a Potential Tool in Anti-Tumor Therapy
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Gene Therapy Approaches for the Selective Killing of Cancer Cells
Current Pharmaceutical Design Tumor Treating Fields – Behind and Beyond Inhibiting the Cancer Cell Cycle
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Facile Synthetic Protocols for the Preparation of New Impurities in Pemetrexed Disodium Heptahydrate as an Anti-cancer Drug
Current Organic Synthesis The Role of microRNAs in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma - A Short Review
MicroRNA γ-Tocotrienol Induces Apoptosis in Human T Cell Lymphoma through Activation of Both Intrinsic and Extrinsic Pathways
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Drug Targeting and Delivery Approach Applied to Pt-Antitumour Complexes. A Coordination Point of View
Current Medicinal Chemistry Viral Origins of Human Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nanocarriers Based Anticancer Drugs: Current Scenario and Future Perceptions
Current Drug Targets Carbon Nanotubes in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Malignant Melanoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Systemic Treatment and Radiotherapy in Malignant Mesothelioma
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews