Delineating the factors and cellular mechanisms involved in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons

Cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) constitute the most abundant neuronal population in the mammalian brain. Their postnatal generation and the feasibility to induce their apoptotic death in vitro make them an excellent model to study the effect of several neurotransmitters and neurotrophins. Here, we...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Xifro Collsamata, Francesc Xavier, Rodríguez Álvarez, José|||0000-0001-8582-8082
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Recursos:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:147178
Acesso em linha:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/147178
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1007/s12311-015-0646-z
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Cerebellar granule neurons
Development
Differentiation
Neuroprotection
Survival pathways
Descrição
Resumo:Cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) constitute the most abundant neuronal population in the mammalian brain. Their postnatal generation and the feasibility to induce their apoptotic death in vitro make them an excellent model to study the effect of several neurotransmitters and neurotrophins. Here, we first review which factors are involved in the generation and proliferation of CGNs in the external granule layer (EGL) and in the regulation of their differentiation and migration to internal granule layer (IGL). Special attention was given to the role of several neurotrophins and the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptor. Then, using the paradigm of potassium deprivation in cultured CGNs, we address several extracellular factors that promote the survival of CGNs, with particular emphasis on the cellular mechanisms. The role of specific protein kinases leading to the regulation of transcription factors and recent data involving the small G protein family is also discussed. Finally, the participation of some members of Bcl-2 family and the inhibition of mitochondria-related apoptotic pathway is also considered. Altogether, these studies evidence that CGNs are a key model to understand the development and the survival of neuronal populations.