Neurobiology Controlling Neuron Myelination

Myelination during development of the peripheral nervous system depends on signaling through neurotrophins and their receptors. Cosgaya et al. (see the Perspective by Hempstead and Salzer) in analyzing the effects of particular signaling pathways, find that some neurotrophins keep myelination at bay, and other neurotrophins encourage myelination. The shift from glial cell development to axonal myelination is effected by a shift from signaling by neurotrophin-3 and its tyrosine kinase receptor TrkC to signaling by brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the receptor p75^NTR. Insight into how myelination is controlled during normal development may lead to greater abilities to manage myelination in the context of neuronal injury.

J. M. Cosgaya, J. R. Chan, E. M. Shooter, The neurotrophin receptor p75^NTR as a positive modulator of myelination. Science 298, 1245-1248 (2002). [Abstract] [Full Text]

B. L. Hempstead, J. L. Salzer, A glial spin on neurotrophins. Science 298, 1184-1186 (2002). [Summary] [Full Text]

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In Science Magazine

PERSPECTIVES
NEUROBIOLOGY:
A Glial Spin on Neurotrophins

Barbara L. Hempstead and James L. Salzer (8 November 2002)
Science 298 (5596), 1184. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1078709]
 |  Summary »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »

REPORTS
The Neurotrophin Receptor p75^NTR as a Positive Modulator of Myelination

José M. Cosgaya, Jonah R. Chan, and Eric M. Shooter (8 November 2002)
Science 298 (5596), 1245. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1076595]
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »  |  Supporting Online Material »