Published in:
01-08-2009 | Basic Neurosciences, Genetics and Immunology - Review Article
Neurotransmitter receptor heteromers in neurodegenerative diseases and neural plasticity
Author:
Rafael Franco
Published in:
Journal of Neural Transmission
|
Issue 8/2009
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Abstract
Metabotropic receptors for neurotransmitters on the plasma membrane of neurons are forming homo- hetero- dimers and even homo- or hetero-oligomers. Neurotransmission has been studied assuming that these G-protein-coupled receptors were monomers. Then, on considering receptor dimers, we are entering a new era for the understanding how neurotransmitter receptors decode signals originating at the nervous system. At the moment it is becoming clear that receptor homo and hetero-oligomers provide signaling diversity, help to understand synaptic plasticity and open new therapeutic potential as targets for neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases.