Unlock the secrets of neural development. This review synthesizes current knowledge on neurotrophins, crucial proteins that regulate the development, maintenance, and function of the nervous system. Neurotrophins act through two classes of receptors, Trk receptor tyrosine kinases and p75NTR, triggering diverse signaling pathways involving ras proteins, MAP kinases, and PI-3 kinase. These pathways play key roles in neuronal survival, differentiation, axon growth, and synaptic plasticity. During development, neurotrophins serve as essential survival factors, ensuring a balance between neuron numbers and target innervation. They also influence cell fate decisions, dendrite pruning, and the expression of vital neuronal proteins like neurotransmitters and ion channels. The review highlights how these proteins modulate neural function by controlling synaptic function and plasticity. Ultimately, neurotrophins offer valuable insights into treating neurological disorders and understanding the complex processes governing the nervous system.
Published in _Annual Review of Neuroscience_, this paper fits perfectly within the journal's scope, offering a comprehensive overview of neurotrophins, key regulators of the nervous system. Given the journal's focus on major advances and current topics in neuroscience, this review provides significant value to its readership.