EGFL7: a new player in homeostasis of the nervous system.
EGFL7 drives the formation of neurons from neural stem cells. In the embryonic and adult brain this process is essential for neurogenesis and homeostasis of the nervous system. The function of adult neurogenesis is not fully understood but maybe it supports life-long learning and brain repair after injuries such as stroke. The transition of neural stem cells into mature neurons is tightly regulated. One of the essential signaling pathways governing this process is the Notch pathway, which controls metazoan development. In a recent publication, we identified a novel non-canonical Notch ligand, EGFL7, and described its impact on neural stem cells. We explored the molecular mechanisms, which this molecule affects to regulate the self-renewal capacity of neural stem cells and to promote their differentiation into neurons. In this review, we discuss the implications of our findings for adult neurogenesis and illustrate the potential of EGFL7 to serve as an agent to increase neurogenesis and the self-renewal potential of the brain
Bicker
Frank
F
Molecular Signal Transduction; Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Johann Wolfgang Goethe University School of Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Schmidt
Mirko H H
MHH
D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009420:Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051880:Receptors, Notch / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; C527877:EGFL7 protein, human; C479627:Egfl7 protein, mouse; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D011506:Proteins; D051880:Receptors, Notch