Neurotrophins

Chapter One: Crystal Structures of Neurotrophin Receptors Kinase Domain

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Crystal Structure of TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC Kinase Domain
• 3 Pharmacological Approach: The Selectivity Issue
• 4 Conclusion and Future Directions
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Two: BDNF Propeptide: A Novel Modulator of Synaptic Plasticity

• Abstract
• 1 Neurotrophins and Their Biological Actions
• 2 NT Receptors and Their Signaling
• 3 Synthesis, Intracellular Trafficking, and Secretion of BDNF Protein
• 4 Modulation of Synaptic Function by BDNF
• 5 BDNF Prodomain: New Roles Beyond a Molecular Chaperone
• 6 BDNF and Its Propeptide Are Localized in Presynaptic Dense Core Vesicles
• 7 The BDNF Propeptide Is a Novel Synaptic Modulator
• 8 Role of the Val66Met Polymorphism in BDNF Propeptide-Dependent LTD
• 9 Discussion

Chapter Three: Zinc Interactions With Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Related Peptide Fragments

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
• 3 Zinc in the Brain
• 4 Zinc(II) Interaction With BDNF and Related Peptides
• 5 Zinc, BDNF, and Diet
• 6 Conclusion
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Four: Structural Characterization of the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor: A Stranger in the TNFR Superfamily

• Abstract
• 1 TNFR Superfamily
• 2 Structural Characterization of p75^NTR
• 3 The Transmembrane Domain (TMD)
• 4 The Intracellular Domain (ICD)
• 5 Conclusions and Future Directions
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Five: Releasing Mechanism of Neurotrophic Factors via Polysialic Acid

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Biochemical Features of BDNF
• 3 Regions and Cellular Distribution of BDNF
• 4 Extracellular Secretion of BDNF
• 5 Conclusion
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Six: Emergent Role of Coronin-1a in Neuronal Signaling

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 The Coronin Family of Proteins
• 3 Type I Coronins as Actin Regulators
• 4 Coronin-1a as a Signaling Effector Protein
• 5 Conclusions and Future Directions
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Seven: Neuronal Roles of the Bicaudal D Family of Motor Adaptors

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 The BICD Family of Cargo Adaptors
• 3 Role of BicD in Drosophila Development
• 4 Mammalian BICDs and Their Role in Mitotic Cells
• 5 Role of BICD in Neurons
• 6 BICDs and NT Signaling
• 7 Conclusions
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Eight: BDNF and Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Basic Mechanisms of LTP
• 3 The Neurotrophin Family and Its Receptors
• 4 TrkB Localization and Signaling
• 5 Synthesis and Secretion of BDNF
• 6 BDNF and LTP in the Hippocampus
• 7 p75^NTR and LTD
• 8 Interplay Between Glucocorticoids and BDNF to Determine Cellular Response to Stress
• 9 Concluding Remarks

Chapter Nine: Neurotrophins in the Brain: Interaction With Alcohol Exposure During Development

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Neurotrophins and the Developing Brain
• 3 Alcohol as a Teratogenic Agent
• 4 Neurotrophins as Targets of Alcohol Exposure
• 5 Interactions Between Developmental Alcohol Exposure and Neurotrophins in the Brain: Molecular and Intracellular Effects
• 6 Interactions Between Developmental Alcohol Exposure and Neurotrophins: Neuroanatomical and Behavioral Effects
• 7 Neurotrophins as Compensatory/Neuroprotective Molecules Following Developmental Alcohol Exposure
• 8 Conclusions
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Ten: Neurotrophins: Role in Placental Growth and Development

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Role of Neurotrophins in Placental Growth and Development
• 3 Neurotrophins in Different Regions of the Placenta
• 4 Cross Talk of Neurotrophins With Other Growth Factors and Proteases Involved in Placental Development
• 5 Role of Neurotrophins in Pregnancy
• 6 Conclusion and Future Directions
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Eleven: Development of Precision Small-Molecule Proneurotrophic Therapies for Neurodegenerative Diseases

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Mammalian Neurotrophin Ligand–Receptor System
• 3 Neurotrophin Ligand–Receptor Biological Functionality
• 4 Proneurotrophin-Based Therapy for Age-Related Neurodegeneration
• 5 Future Developments in Small-Molecule Neurotrophic Agents

Chapter Twelve: The Role of Neurotrophins in Inflammation and Allergy

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 NTs and Allergic Disease
• 3 NTs and Inflammatory Responses
• 4 Conclusions

Chapter Thirteen: Neurotrophic Factors and Maternal Nutrition During Pregnancy

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Neurotrophic Factors
• 3 Maternal Nutrition
• 4 Association Between Maternal Nutrition and Neurotrophic Factors Through One Carbon Cycle
• 5 Consequences of Altered Maternal Nutrition in Pregnancy

Chapter Fourteen: The Role of Neurotrophin Signaling in Gliomagenesis: A Focus on the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor (p75^NTR/CD271)

• Abstract
• 1 General Overview
• 2 Malignant Glioma: A Major Clinical Challenge
• 3 Glioma Disease Reservoirs
• 4 Molecular Determinants of Glioma Invasion and Progression
• 5 The Role of the Neurotrophins and Their Cognate Receptors in Glioma Progression
• 6 A Role for p75^NTR in Cancer: Extending Beyond Glioma
• 7 Conclusions and Future Directions
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Fifteen: Neurotrophic Factors Used to Treat Spinal Cord Injury

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Neurotrophins
• 3 Selected Examples of Other Growth Factors
• 4 Combinations of Factors
• 5 Location of Neurotrophic Factor Delivery
• 6 Mode of Neurotrophic Factor Delivery
• 7 Timing of Neurotrophic Factor Delivery
• 8 Conclusion
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Sixteen: Neurotrophins and Migraine

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Neurotrophins and Pain
• 3 Migraine Pathophysiology
• 4 Neurotrophins and Migraine
• 5 Conclusion and Future Directions

Chapter Seventeen: BDNF During Withdrawal

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 BDNF Alterations Following Chronic Administration of Drugs of Abuse
• 3 Protracted Abstinence, Incubation, and Craving: How Is BDNF Involved?
• 4 Peripheral BDNF Levels
• 5 Polymorphism in BDNF Gene: Predictive Value in Drug Addiction?
• 6 Conclusion and Future Directions
• Acknowledgments

Chapter Eighteen: Neurotrophin Receptors and Perineural Invasion: Analyses in Select Lineage-Unrelated Cutaneous Malignancies With a Propensity for Perineural Invasion

• Abstract
• 1 Introduction
• 2 PNI in Cancer
• 3 Definitions
• 4 Incidence of PNI in Cutaneous Malignancies
• 5 Prognostic Impact of PNI in cSCC and DM
• 6 The Biological Underpinnings of PNI: The Role of Neurotrophins
• 7 Clinical Potential of Neurotrophins as Therapeutic Targets
• 8 Personal Observations
• 9 Conclusions