300223 VO Signal Transduction pathways in the nervous system (2012W)

The neuron, like any other eukaryotic cell, takes up information from the environment via cell surface receptors. Downstream signalling cascades lead to cellular reactions, that either ensure cell survival or lead to a programmed cell death to maintain a healthy organism.
Signal transduction from one protein to another (most proteins have enzymatic activity) allow the amplification, integration, regulation and finally also the termination of incoming signals.
At the end of the cascade significant cellular reactions occur, like changes in gene expression or apoptosis.
We will discuss the major cell surface receptors as targets for neurotransmitters, hormones, growth factors, cytokines, neurotrophins, morphogens and extracellular matrix proteins and their downstream intracellular pathways.
The individual components will be discussed in a way, that a profound understanding of cellular mechanisms can be acquired: activation and inactivation of components, molecular switches, regulation mechanisms, adapter proteins, structural motifs etc.
Deregulation of signalling cascades frequently lead to diseases like cancer,
neurodegenerative diseases and autoimmune diseases. Known examples will be discussed with the individual pathways.