The sugar code in neuronal physiology

Carbohydrate-related interactions are necessary for the correct development and function of the nervous system. As we illustrate with several examples, those interactions are controlled by carbohydrate-modifying enzymes and by carbohydrate-binding proteins that regulate a plethora of complex axonal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Histochemistry and Cell Biology 2017-02, Vol.147 (2), p.257-267
Main Authors: Higuero, Alonso M., Díez-Revuelta, Natalia, Abad-Rodríguez, José
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomy & physiology
Animals
Biochemistry
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Carbohydrates
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Glycosylation
Humans
Lectins - chemistry
Lectins - metabolism
Nervous system
Neurons
Neurons - physiology
Oligosaccharides - chemistry
Oligosaccharides - metabolism
Polysaccharides - chemistry
Polysaccharides - metabolism
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Summary:Carbohydrate-related interactions are necessary for the correct development and function of the nervous system. As we illustrate with several examples, those interactions are controlled by carbohydrate-modifying enzymes and by carbohydrate-binding proteins that regulate a plethora of complex axonal processes. Among others, glycan-related proteins as sialidase Neu3 or galectins-1, -3, and -4 play central roles in the determination of axonal fate, axon growth, guidance and regeneration, as well as in polarized axonal glycoprotein transport. In addition, myelination is also highly dependent on glycans, and the stabilization of myelin architecture requires the interaction of the myelin-associated glycoprotein (siglec-4) with gangliosides in the axonal membrane. The roles of glycans in neuroscience are far from being completely understood, though the cases presented here underscore the importance and potential of carbohydrates to establish with precision key molecular mechanisms of the physiology of the nervous system. New specific applications in diagnosis as well as the definition of new molecular targets to treat neurological diseases related to lectins and/or glycans are envisioned in the future.
ISSN:0948-6143
1432-119X
DOI:10.1007/s00418-016-1519-3