title: Ion channels in postnatal neurogenesis: potential targets for brain repair.
abstract: Neural stem and progenitor cells (NSC/NPCs) are unspecialized cells found in the adult peri-ventricular and sub-granular zones that are capable of self-renewal, migration, and differentiation into new neurons through the remarkable process of postnatal neurogenesis. We are now beginning to understand that the concerted action of ion channels, multi-pass transmembrane proteins that allow passage of ions across otherwise impermeable cellular membranes tightly regulate this process. Specific ion channels control proliferation, differentiation and survival. Furthermore, they have the potential to be highly selective drug targets due to their complex structures. As such, these proteins represent intriguing prospects for control and optimization of postnatal neurogenesis for neural regeneration following brain injury or disease. Here, we concentrate on ion channels identified in adult ventricular zone NSC/NPCs that have been found to influence the stages of neurogenesis. Finally, we outline the potential of these channels to elicit repair, and highlight the outstanding challenges.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Sciences; Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. lswayne@uvic.ca
authors.forename: Leigh Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Swayne
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wicki-Stordeur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels