Lipid rafts in neuregulin signaling at synapses.
Neuregulins are a family of EGF domain-containing factors that play an important role in development. In the nervous system, they promote glial differentiation, induce neurotransmitter receptor expression, and regulate synaptic plasticity. Recent studies indicate that ErbB protein tyrosine kinases, neuregulin receptors, translocate to lipid raft microdomains in the plasma membrane in response to neuregulin. Localization of ErbB proteins in lipid rafts appeared to be necessary for neuregulin signaling and regulation of synaptic plasticity. We will review recent studies of lipid rafts and neuregulin function and discuss possible roles of lipid rafts in compartmentalized neuregulin signaling and translocation of ErbB proteins to synapses.
Yang
Xiao-Li
XL
Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan International Research Center, 1719 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0021, USA.
Xiong
Wen C
WC
Mei
Lin
L
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000378:metabolism*; D020880:Neuregulins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*
D020880:Neuregulins