CNTF, a member of the cytokine family, was originally described as a neuronal survival factor in the chick cilia ganglia. …
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Articles
pro-Neurotrophins: The Other Identity of Neurotrophins
The precursors of neurotrophins – pro-neurotrophins – have proven to be biologically active. This short report aims at pointing out …
Continue readingOff the Trk (with K252a)
The four mammalian neurotrophins (NTs) – NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4 – are renowned regulators of neural plasticity, function and …
Continue readingNT-3 and NT-4 at the Nerve Center of Neurotrophic Research
Neurotrophins have emerged more than 6 decades ago as the mysterious molecules behind neuronal well-being. Their wide range of activities …
Continue readingIn Focus: NGF Neutralization
Nerve growth factor (NGF), the founder of the neurotrophin superfamily, exerts a wide range of physiological functions not only in …
Continue readingRegulatory Aspects of mGluRs
Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are functionally important for inducing long term potentiation (LTP) and long term depression (LTD). They are …
Continue readingMelanocortin Receptors in the Kidney and Nervous System
The five melanocortin receptors are members of the seven-transmembrane domain, G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. Melanocortins, the ligands of the …
Continue readingCannabinoid Signaling in the Nervous System
Cannabinoids have been used in Eastern medicine for many years as pain relievers. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive compound in …
Continue readingIn Focus: Formyl Peptide Receptors
Chemotactic factors from both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are short peptides with N-formyl methionine at the N-terminus (extensively reviewed in …
Continue readingIon Channels in Endocrine Pancreatic Cells and their Role in Diabetes
Maintaining glucose homeostasis is an important factor in mammalian physiology, and is controlled to a large extent by the pancreas. …
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