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
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...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
- 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
-
First Molecular Cytogenetic Characterization of Murine Malignant Mesothelioma Cell Line AE17 and In Silico Translation to the Human Genome
Current Bioinformatics HUHS1015 Induces Necroptosis and Caspase-Independent Apoptosis of MKN28 Human Gastric Cancer Cells in Association with AMID Accumulation in the Nucleus
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Intercellular Crosstalk Via Extracellular Vesicles in Tumor Milieu as Emerging Therapies for Cancer Progression
Current Pharmaceutical Design Tumor Treating Fields – Behind and Beyond Inhibiting the Cancer Cell Cycle
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets P68 RNA Helicase (DDX5) Required for the Formation of Various Specific and Mature miRNA Active RISC Complexes
MicroRNA Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers: A Focus on Genomic and Proteomic Findings
Current Genomics Onconase and Amphinase, the Antitumor Ribonucleases from Rana pipiens Oocytes
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Epigenetics of Virus-Induced Tumors: Perspectives for Therapeutic Targeting
Current Pharmaceutical Design To Seek Shelter from the Wnt in Osteoarthritis? Wnt-Signaling as a Target for Osteoarthritis Therapy
Current Drug Targets The Role of Pemetrexed in Advanced Non Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Special Focus on Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action
Current Drug Targets Could Growth Factor-Mediated Extracellular Matrix Deposition and Degradation Offer the Ground for Directed Pharmacological Targeting in Fibrosarcoma?
Current Medicinal Chemistry WT1 Peptide Vaccine as a Paradigm for “Cancer Antigen-Derived Peptide”-Based Immunotherapy for Malignancies: Successful Induction of Anti-Cancer Effect by Vaccination with a Single Kind of WT1 Peptide
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Analysis of Glycosaminoglycans by Electrophoretic Approach
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Hepatoma-Derived Growth Factor in Carcinogenesis and Cancer Progression
Current Drug Therapy Cyclotron Production of PET Radiometals in Liquid Targets: Aspects and Prospects
Current Radiopharmaceuticals α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit in Angiogenesis and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Current Drug Targets Systematic Analysis of RNAi Reports Identifies Dismal Commonality at Gene-Level and Reveals an Unprecedented Enrichment in Pooled shRNA Screens
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Using Pharmacologic Data to Plan Clinical Treatments for Patients with Peritoneal Surface Malignancy
Current Drug Discovery Technologies Cancer Gene Therapy by Adenovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer
Current Gene Therapy Epigenetics in Vascular Disease – Therapeutic Potential of New Agents
Current Vascular Pharmacology