Cerebral Signal Transduction: From First to Fourth Messengers / Edition 1

by Maarten E. A. Reith

Overview

Since the pioneering discovery of cyclic AMP four decades ago, a multitude of signaling pathways have been uncovered in which an extracellular signal (first messenger) impacts the cell surface, thereby triggering a cascade that ultimately acts on the cell nucleus. In each cascade the first messenger gives rise to the appearance of a second messenger such as cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, or diacylglycerol, which in turn triggers a third messenger, a fourth messenger, and so forth. Many advances in elucidating such pathways have been made, including efforts to link messenger molecules to brain processes operative in health or disease. However, the latter type of information, relating signaling pathways to brain function, is scattered across a variety of publication media, which makes it difficult to integrate the multiple roles of different signaling cascades into our understanding of brain function in health and disease. The primary aim of Cerebral Signal Transduction: From First to Fourth Messengers, therefore, is to offer a comprehensive picture of the recent advances made in the signaling field as it relates to neuronal and cere­ bral function. The current state of progress provides an exciting opportunity for such a comprehensive focus because molecular tools have become available to selectively remove, reduce, or enhance spe­ cific components in the signaling pathways, e. g. , by interfering with the genes encoding key proteins. In addition, the increased awareness of crosstalk between different signaling cascades has revealed many possibilities for changes in gene expression underlying long-term changes in brain function.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780896036086
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	02/16/2000
Series:	Contemporary Neuroscience
Edition description:	2000
Pages:	428
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.24(d)

About the Author

Reith, Maarten E.A. (Univ of Illinois at Peoria)

Table of Contents

I. Introduction.- 1 • From First to Fourth Messengers in the Brain: An Overview.- II. Memory.- 2 • Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Learning and Memory.- 3 • Signal Transduction Pathways in Well-Defined Models of Learning and Memory: Drosophila and Honeybee.- 4 • Protein Kinase C Signaling in Learning and Memory.- III. Neurodegeneration and Apoptosis.- 5 • Neurotransmitter Receptor—G-Protein-Mediated Signal Transduction in Alzheimer’s Disease.- 6 • The NO Signaling Pathway in the Brain: Neural Injury, Neurological Disorders, and Aggression.- 7 • Cellular Signaling Pathways in Neuronal Apoptosis: Role in Neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s Disease.- 8 • The Role of Second Messengers in Neurodegeneration.- IV. Depression.- 9 • Molecular and Cellular Determinants of Stress and Antidepressant Treatment.- 10 • Long-Term Bidirectional Hormonal and Neuroplastic Responses to Stress: Implications for the Treatment of Depression.- 11 • Signal Transduction Abnormalities in Bipolar Affective Disorder.- V. Drug Dependence.- 12 • Messengers in Opioid Dependence: Gene Disruption Studies.- 13 • The 5-HT1B Knockout Mouse: An Animal Model of Vulnerability to Drugs of Abuse.- 14 • Regulation of Dopamine Transporter by Phosphorylation and Impact on Cocaine Action.- 15 • Dopamine Transporter mRNA in Human Brain: Distribution and Regulatory Effects in Autopsy Studies of Cocaine Abusers.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Konstantin V. Slavin, MD (University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description: This book is a summary of recent progress in understanding the process of signal transduction on the molecular level, starting with neurotransmitters and progressing all the way to fourth and fifth messengers, as it takes place in normal and pathological brain tissue.
Purpose: The editor states the goal is to offer a comprehensive picture of recent advances made in the signaling field as it relates to neuronal and cerebral function. Since information in this field has increased significantly during the last several years (primarily due to development of new biochemical research techniques and molecular tools), the need for this type of book is tremendous. The editor and the contributors accomplished their goal remarkably well.
Audience: This volume is intended for scientists and graduate and advanced undergraduate students looking for a comprehensive overview of cerebral signaling. In addition, neurologists and psychiatrists may also find the information both interesting and somewhat applicable to their practice. Chapters are written by leading authorities in the field from seven European and North American countries.
Features: The chapters are arranged so that clinical and laboratory investigations on depression, bipolar disorder, and drug dependence follow more basic research on memory, apoptosis, and degeneration. Each chapter is extremely well referenced, making this a valuable reference source. Multiple black-and-white illustrations, drawings, and microphotographs enhance the text quality.
Assessment: This new volume in the series Contemporary Neuroscience may serve as an excellent overview of current knowledge in the field of cerebral signaling and transduction. Main aspects of the latest research on this topic are presented and our understanding of inner mechanisms of the information transmission and their relevance to certain pathological conditions are summarized. Obviously, this research may eventually yield new therapeutic approaches and pharmacological agents that will affect second and further messengers, therefore increasing their effectiveness and specificity.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody

This book is a summary of recent progress in understanding the process of signal transduction on the molecular level, starting with neurotransmitters and progressing all the way to fourth and fifth messengers, as it takes place in normal and pathological brain tissue. The editor states the goal is to offer a comprehensive picture of recent advances made in the signaling field as it relates to neuronal and cerebral function. Since information in this field has increased significantly during the last several years (primarily due to development of new biochemical research techniques and molecular tools), the need for this type of book is tremendous. The editor and the contributors accomplished their goal remarkably well. This volume is intended for scientists and graduate and advanced undergraduate students looking for a comprehensive overview of cerebral signaling. In addition, neurologists and psychiatrists may also find the information both interesting and somewhat applicable to their practice. Chapters are written by leading authorities in the field from seven European and North American countries. The chapters are arranged so that clinical and laboratory investigations on depression, bipolar disorder, and drug dependence follow more basic research on memory, apoptosis, and degeneration. Each chapter is extremely well referenced, making this a valuable reference source. Multiple black-and-white illustrations, drawings, and microphotographs enhance the text quality. This new volume in the series Contemporary Neuroscience may serve as an excellent overview of current knowledge in the field of cerebral signaling and transduction. Main aspects of the latest research on this topic arepresented and our understanding of inner mechanisms of the information transmission and their relevance to certain pathological conditions are summarized. Obviously, this research may eventually yield new therapeutic approaches and pharmacological agents that will affect second and further messengers, therefore increasing their effectiveness and specificity.

Konstantin V. Slavin

Reviews and synthesizes recent advances in understanding of the role of cerebral signaling in neuronal and cerebral function. Emphasis is on the functional role of the various signaling pathways in memory, apoptosis and degeneration, depression, and drug dependence in both health and disease states. Signalling pathways discussed include cAMP/PKA, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and DAG/PKG. By taking advantage of the ability to selectively remove, reduce, or enhance specific components of signaling pathways, investigators illuminate signalling cascades, their crosstalk, and changes in gene expression underlying changes in brain function. The editor is affiliated with the University of Illinois' College of Medicine. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"The editor states the goal is to offer a comprehensive picture of recent advances made in the signaling field as it relates to neuronal and cerebral function. . . The editor and the contributors accomplished the goal remarkably well. The chapters are arranged so that clinical and laboratory investigations on depression, bipolar disorder, and drug dependence follow more basic research on memory, apoptosis, and degeneration. Each chapter is extremely well referenced, making this a valuable reference source. Multiple black-and-white illustrations, drawings, and microphotographs enhance the text quality...This new volume in the series Contemporary Neuroscience may serve as an excellent overview of current knowledge in the field of cerebral signaling and transduction."-Doody's Health Science Book Review Journal

"The quality of each of the chapters of this book is outstanding and will provide valuable information for a variety of neuroscientists."- Journal of Molecular Neuroscience

From the Publisher