title: Dopamine-sensitive adenylyl cyclases in neuronal development: physiopathological and pharmacological implications.
abstract: Pharmacological studies of molecular mechanisms leading to the differentiation of neurons with retained dopaminergic fate and function suggest that such differentiation could be a form of treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and schizophrenia. This goal could be achieved by neuronal replacement therapies based upon the manipulation of endogenous precursors in situ or by transplantation-based approaches. Signals conveyed by the adenylyl cyclase (AC) pathway appear to be crucial for the suitable differentiation of neurons. Here, we discuss dopamine (DA)-sensitive isoforms of AC as key cues for dopaminergic neuronal patterning and as interesting therapeutic targets for the induction of regenerative processes or to drive correct neuronal development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Evolution, General Physiology Section, University of Ferrara, Italy. pvnbbr@unife.it
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pavan
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paganetto
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalpiaz
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D055808:Drug Discovery; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000637:transplantation; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D054852:Small Molecule Libraries / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D054852:Small Molecule Libraries; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; D004298:Dopamine