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Signal transduction by serine proteinases in astrocytes: Regulation of proliferation, morphologic changes, and survival via proteinase‐activated receptors
Author(s) -
Wang Hong,
Reiser Georg
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
drug development research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1098-2299
pISSN - 0272-4391
DOI - 10.1002/ddr.10319
Subject(s) - signal transduction , astrocyte , neuroscience , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , intracellular , protease activated receptor , thrombin , central nervous system , immunology , biochemistry , platelet
A strocytes, in addition to their conventionally known function as supporting cells in the brain, have recently been revealed to play a much more pivotal role in maintaining the brain's vitality than has been previously assumed. Astrocytes, an intimate partner of neurons, coordinate neuronal activity across cellular networks in the central nervous system (CNS). Proteinases like thrombin can act on astrocytes via activation of plasma membrane proteinase‐activated receptors (PARs), thereby mediating cellular responses such as morphologic changes, proliferation, and survival. These astrocyte responses may have an important influence on neuronal development, plasticity, and repair after injury. These effects may be mediated either through distinct or overlapping signal transduction cascades, after activation of PARs. In this article, we summarize recent findings regarding the widespread distribution of PARs in the brain, as well as the underlying signaling events initiated by proteinases in astrocytes. Such studies provide a better understanding of the intracellular signaling machinery linking PARs to their potential physiologic and pathologic functions in the CNS. Drug Dev. Res. 60:43–50, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.