Signaling molecules as regulators of neurogenesis in the adult brain

• Published in: Neurochemical journal 2013-10, Vol.7 (4), p.241-255
• Main Author: Gomazkov, O. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Neurosciences; Review Articles
• ISSN: 1819-7124; 1819-7132
• DOI: 10.1134/S1819712413040041

Studies in the second half of the 20th century accumulated evidence that refuted the dogma that “nervous cells are not restored.” During the entire life of the body, neural stem cells or progenitors are continuously transformed and new structures, such as neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, are integrated. Regulation of this process is complex and invariably interrelated with the adaptive capacities of the healthy, aging, and disabled brain. In this review, on the basis of a large body of data, we postulate the hypothesis of the adaptive mission of neurogenesis in the adult brain . We present the data of experimental and clinical studies as a scheme of phase transformation of brain stem cells and their role in adaptive processes. We summarize the data on the role of newborn neurons in the pathology of the ischemic, neurodegenerative, and aging processes. An important role is performed by signaling molecules, which are important integrators of brain adaptive functions. The scheme of the mechanisms of neurogenesis becomes clearer when one takes the large number of various signaling molecules involved in this regulation into account. Several levels of signaling may be noted, such as (a) neurotrophins and growth factors; (b) molecules of the transduction cascade; (c) molecules of transcription of a signal to the replication apparatus of the cell; and (d) epigenetic factors, which govern signaling polyphony. The new and practically important concept that is elaborated here is the thesis that these molecules may be used as “targets” for directed pharmacological therapeutic influence.