Neuregulins
Neuregulins or NRGs are a family of four structurally related proteins that are part of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase receptors. These proteins have been implicated in a variety of biological processes, including neurodevelopment, heart development, and cancer.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Neuregulins are synthesized as precursor proteins and are then processed by proteolysis to generate the mature proteins. The mature neuregulins are composed of an EGF-like domain, which is necessary for their interaction with the ErbB receptors, and a transmembrane domain, which anchors the proteins to the cell membrane.
Function[edit | edit source]
Neuregulins play a crucial role in the development and function of the nervous system. They are involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell survival, and cell differentiation. In the nervous system, neuregulins are involved in the formation of synapses, the junctions between neurons that allow them to communicate with each other.
In the heart, neuregulins are involved in the regulation of cardiomyocyte proliferation and differentiation, and they play a crucial role in the development of the heart ventricles.
In cancer, neuregulins can act as oncogenes, promoting the growth and survival of cancer cells. However, they can also act as tumor suppressors, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Due to their role in cell proliferation and survival, neuregulins have been implicated in a variety of diseases, including schizophrenia, heart disease, and cancer. In schizophrenia, alterations in neuregulin signaling have been associated with the disease. In heart disease, neuregulins have been shown to have protective effects, and they are being investigated as potential therapeutic agents. In cancer, neuregulins can promote the growth and survival of cancer cells, and they are being investigated as potential targets for cancer therapy.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Neuregulins Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
