scholarly journals The Role of Sonic Hedgehog Pathway in the Development of the Central Nervous System and Aging-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Yang ◽  
Yan Qi ◽  
Zhitang Sun

The Sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway affects neurogenesis and neural patterning during the development of the central nervous system. Dysregulation of the SHH pathway in the brain contributes to aging-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. At present, the SHH signaling pathway can be divided into the canonical signaling pathway and non-canonical signaling pathway, which directly or indirectly mediates other related pathways involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, an in-depth knowledge of the SHH signaling pathway may open an avenue of possibilities for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we summarize the role and mechanism of the SHH signaling pathway in the development of the central nervous system and aging-related neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we will also highlight the potential of the SHH pathway as a therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-146
Author(s):  
Afshin Montazeri ◽  
Milad Akhlaghi ◽  
Ahmad Reza Barahimi ◽  
Ali Jahanbazi Jahan Abad ◽  
Reza Jabbari ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Juárez-Rebollar ◽  
Camilo Rios ◽  
Concepción Nava-Ruíz ◽  
Marisela Méndez-Armenta

Metallothioneins are a family of proteins which are able to bind metals intracellularly, so their main function is to regulate the cellular metabolism of essential metals. There are 4 major isoforms of MTs (I–IV), three of which have been localized in the central nervous system. MT-I and MT-II have been localized in the spinal cord and brain, mainly in astrocytes, whereas MT-III has been found mainly in neurons. MT-I and MT-II have been considered polyvalent proteins whose main function is to maintain cellular homeostasis of essential metals such as zinc and copper, but other functions have also been considered: detoxification of heavy metals, regulation of gene expression, processes of inflammation, and protection against free radicals generated by oxidative stress. On the other hand, the MT-III has been related in events of pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson and Alzheimer. Likewise, the participation of MTs in other neurological disorders has also been reported. This review shows recent evidence about the role of MT in the central nervous system and its possible role in neurodegenerative diseases as well as in brain disorders.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar F. Sánchez ◽  
Andrea V. Rodríguez ◽  
José M. Velasco-España ◽  
Laura C. Murillo ◽  
Jhon-Jairo Sutachan ◽  
...  

Gap junction (GJ) channels and their connexins (Cxs) are complex proteins that have essential functions in cell communication processes in the central nervous system (CNS). Neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglial cells express an extraordinary repertory of Cxs that are important for cell to cell communication and diffusion of metabolites, ions, neurotransmitters, and gliotransmitters. GJs and Cxs not only contribute to the normal function of the CNS but also the pathological progress of several diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Besides, they have important roles in mediating neuroprotection by internal or external molecules. However, regulation of Cx expression by epigenetic mechanisms has not been fully elucidated. In this review, we provide an overview of the known mechanisms that regulate the expression of the most abundant Cxs in the central nervous system, Cx30, Cx36, and Cx43, and their role in brain cancer, CNS disorders, and neuroprotection. Initially, we focus on describing the Cx gene structure and how this is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Then, the posttranslational modifications that mediate the activity and stability of Cxs are reviewed. Finally, the role of GJs and Cxs in glioblastoma, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases, and neuroprotection are analyzed with the aim of shedding light in the possibility of using Cx regulators as potential therapeutic molecules.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilian Xu ◽  
Jia Zhu ◽  
Kai Mi ◽  
Yan Shen ◽  
Xiaomin Zhang

Background. Sil1 is the causative gene of Marinesco-Sjӧgren Syndrome (MSS). The mutated Sil1 generates shortened SIL1 protein which will form aggregation and be degraded rapidly. Mental retardation is a major symptom of MSS which suggests a role of SIL1 in the development of the central nervous system, but how SIL1 functions remains unclear. Objectives. The aim of this study is to explore the role of SIL1 in regulating cerebral development and its underlying molecular mechanism. Methods. The basic expression pattern of SIL1 in tissues and cultured cortical neurons is measured by immunostaining and Western blot. The expression of SIL1 is reduced in vitro and in vivo through RNA interference delivered by a lentivirus. The expression of NMDA receptor subunits and the function of the Reelin signaling pathway are then examined by surface biotinylation and Western blot subsequently. Finally, the spatial learning of young mice was assessed by the Barnes maze task. Results. SIL1 deficiency caused a diminished expression of both Reelin receptors and therefore impaired the Reelin signaling pathway. It then inhibited the developmental expression of GluN2A and impaired the spatial learning of 5-week-old mice. Conclusions. These results suggested that SIL1 is required for the development of the central nervous system which is associated with its role in Reelin signaling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4630
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Kulczyńska-Przybik ◽  
Piotr Mroczko ◽  
Maciej Dulewicz ◽  
Barbara Mroczko

Reticulons (RTNs) are crucial regulatory factors in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as immune system and play pleiotropic functions. In CNS, RTNs are transmembrane proteins mediating neuroanatomical plasticity and functional recovery after central nervous system injury or diseases. Moreover, RTNs, particularly RTN4 and RTN3, are involved in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation processes. The crucial role of RTNs in the development of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or other neurological conditions such as brain injury or spinal cord injury, has attracted scientific interest. Reticulons, particularly RTN-4A (Nogo-A), could provide both an understanding of early pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and be potential therapeutic targets which may offer effective treatment or inhibit disease progression. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms and functions of RTNs and their potential usefulness in clinical practice as a diagnostic tool or therapeutic strategy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuang-Yao Chen ◽  
Chien-Ju Cheng ◽  
Lian-Chen Wang

Angiostrongylus cantonensisinfection may cause elevation of ROS and antioxidants in the CSF of infected mice. Astrocytes may protect the surrounding neurons from oxidative stress-induced cell death by secreting Sonic hedgehog (Shh) via the PI3-K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway. This study was conducted to determine the role of the Shh signaling pathway inA. cantonensis-infected BABL/c mice by coculturing astrocytes with living fifth-stage larvae or soluble antigens. The Shh pathway was activated with corresponding increases in the level of the Shh. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Shh were increased in astrocyte cocultured with living fifth-stage larvae or soluble antigens. The survival of astrocytes pretreated with Shh was significantly elevated in cocultures with the antigens but reduced by its inhibitor cyclopamine. The expression of GRP78 and Bcl-2 was significantly higher in astrocytes pretreated with recombinant Shh. These findings suggest that the expression of Shh may inhibit cell death by activating Bcl-2 through a GRP78-dependent pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol In Press (In Press) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Abdolmaleki ◽  
Sevin Ferdowsi ◽  
Asadollah Asadi ◽  
Yassin Panahi

Context: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are neurological disorders characterized by the degeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). Studies have examined interactions between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and functioning of the CNS in NDs. In this study, we summarized the role of different lncRNAs in most NDs. Methods: In this study, different papers published between years 2003 and 2020 were reviewed. Results: LncRNAs can play a significant role in the development of brain disorders. Conclusions: The dysregulation of lncRNAs has been shown to affect NDs such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson’s diseases (PD). In this review, we compiled recent findings related to the main lncRNAs associated with brain disorders.


Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1796
Author(s):  
Anja Pišlar ◽  
Lara Bolčina ◽  
Janko Kos

Neuroinflammation, which is mediated by microglia and astrocytes, is associated with the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Increasing evidence shows that activated microglia induce the expression and secretion of various lysosomal cathepsins, particularly during the early stage of neuroinflammation. This trigger signaling cascade that aggravate neurodegeneration. To date, most research on neuroinflammation has focused on the role of cysteine cathepsins, the largest cathepsin family. Cysteine cathepsins are primarily responsible for protein degradation in lysosomes; however, they also play a role in regulating a number of other important physiological and pathological processes. This review focuses on the functional roles of cysteine cathepsins in the central nervous system during neuroinflammation, with an emphasis on their roles in the polarization of microglia and neuroinflammation signaling, which in turn causes neuronal death and thus neurodegeneration.


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