Role of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Modulating Synaptic Functions and Brain Levels of BDNF: a Possible Key Mechanism in the Pathophysiology of Huntington's Disease

In the last few years, accumulating evidence has shown the existence of an important cross-talk between adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Not only are A2ARs involved in the mechanism of transactivation of BDNF receptor TrkB, they also modulate the effect o...

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Main Authors: Maria Teresa Tebano, Alberto Martire, Valentina Chiodi, Antonella Ferrante, Patrizia Popoli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2010-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2010.164
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author Maria Teresa Tebano
Alberto Martire
Valentina Chiodi
Antonella Ferrante
Patrizia Popoli
author_facet Maria Teresa Tebano
Alberto Martire
Valentina Chiodi
Antonella Ferrante
Patrizia Popoli
author_sort Maria Teresa Tebano
collection DOAJ
description In the last few years, accumulating evidence has shown the existence of an important cross-talk between adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Not only are A2ARs involved in the mechanism of transactivation of BDNF receptor TrkB, they also modulate the effect of BDNF on synaptic transmission, playing a facilitatory and permissive role. The cAMP-PKA pathway, the main transduction system operated by A2ARs, is involved in such effects. Furthermore, a basal tonus of A2ARs is required to allow the regulation of BDNF physiological levels in the brain, as demonstrated by the reduced protein levels measured in A2ARs KO mice. The crucial role of adenosine A2ARs in the maintenance of synaptic functions and BDNF levels will be reviewed here and discussed in the light of possible implications for Huntington's disease therapy, in which a joint impairment of BDNF and A2ARs seems to play a pathogenetic role.
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publishDate 2010-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-315753d309b64a3daf4fc2a5a620f3c32025-08-20T02:38:53ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2010-01-01101768178210.1100/tsw.2010.164Role of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Modulating Synaptic Functions and Brain Levels of BDNF: a Possible Key Mechanism in the Pathophysiology of Huntington's DiseaseMaria Teresa Tebano0Alberto Martire1Valentina Chiodi2Antonella Ferrante3Patrizia Popoli4Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, ItalyIn the last few years, accumulating evidence has shown the existence of an important cross-talk between adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Not only are A2ARs involved in the mechanism of transactivation of BDNF receptor TrkB, they also modulate the effect of BDNF on synaptic transmission, playing a facilitatory and permissive role. The cAMP-PKA pathway, the main transduction system operated by A2ARs, is involved in such effects. Furthermore, a basal tonus of A2ARs is required to allow the regulation of BDNF physiological levels in the brain, as demonstrated by the reduced protein levels measured in A2ARs KO mice. The crucial role of adenosine A2ARs in the maintenance of synaptic functions and BDNF levels will be reviewed here and discussed in the light of possible implications for Huntington's disease therapy, in which a joint impairment of BDNF and A2ARs seems to play a pathogenetic role.http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2010.164
spellingShingle Maria Teresa Tebano
Alberto Martire
Valentina Chiodi
Antonella Ferrante
Patrizia Popoli
Role of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Modulating Synaptic Functions and Brain Levels of BDNF: a Possible Key Mechanism in the Pathophysiology of Huntington's Disease
The Scientific World Journal
title Role of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Modulating Synaptic Functions and Brain Levels of BDNF: a Possible Key Mechanism in the Pathophysiology of Huntington's Disease
title_full Role of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Modulating Synaptic Functions and Brain Levels of BDNF: a Possible Key Mechanism in the Pathophysiology of Huntington's Disease
title_fullStr Role of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Modulating Synaptic Functions and Brain Levels of BDNF: a Possible Key Mechanism in the Pathophysiology of Huntington's Disease
title_full_unstemmed Role of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Modulating Synaptic Functions and Brain Levels of BDNF: a Possible Key Mechanism in the Pathophysiology of Huntington's Disease
title_short Role of Adenosine A2A Receptors in Modulating Synaptic Functions and Brain Levels of BDNF: a Possible Key Mechanism in the Pathophysiology of Huntington's Disease
title_sort role of adenosine a2a receptors in modulating synaptic functions and brain levels of bdnf a possible key mechanism in the pathophysiology of huntington s disease
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2010.164
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