G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Myelinating Glia. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mogha, Amit; D'Rozario, Mitchell; Monk, Kelly R.
• Is Part Of: Trends in pharmacological sciences. Volume 37:Number 11(2016)
• Page Start: 977
• Page End: 987
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) -- myelination -- Schwann cell -- oligodendrocyte -- remyelination; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- trends -- Periodicals; Pharmacologie -- Périodiques; Pharmacology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-6147

Abstract

Abstract : The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily represents the largest class of functionally selective drug targets for disease modulation and therapy. GPCRs have been studied in great detail in central nervous system (CNS) neurons, but these important molecules have been relatively understudied in glia. In recent years, however, exciting new roles for GPCRs in glial cell biology have emerged. We focus here on the key roles of GPCRs in a specialized subset of glia, myelinating glia. We highlight recent work firmly establishing GPCRs as regulators of myelinating glial cell development and myelin repair. These advances expand our understanding of myelinating glial cell biology and underscore the utility of targeting GPCRs to promote myelin repair in human disease. Trends: GPCRs represent the largest class of therapeutic drug targets. GPCRs have essential and diverse functions in the nervous system, but have only recently been implicated in myelinating glial cell biology. GPCRs, their ligands, and downstream signaling effectors are emerging as key regulators of myelination in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Insights from GPCR biology in myelinating glia can define new therapeutic targets to promote remyelination in disease and after injury.