regulation of neuroblast proliferation

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of neuroblast proliferation. [GO_REF:0000058, GOC:PARL, GOC:rl, GOC:TermGenie, PMID:21168496]

Neuroblast proliferation, a critical process in the development of the nervous system, is tightly regulated by a complex interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic signals. This intricate network ensures that the correct number of neurons is generated, while also maintaining a balance between cell division and differentiation.

**Intrinsic Factors:**

* **Transcription Factors:** Transcription factors, like MYCN, MYC, and N-MYC, play a pivotal role in regulating neuroblast proliferation by modulating the expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression. These factors are often dysregulated in neuroblastoma, contributing to uncontrolled cell growth.
* **Cell Cycle Regulators:** Proteins that control the cell cycle, such as cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), are crucial for the orderly progression through the different phases of the cell cycle. Aberrant expression or activity of these proteins can lead to abnormal proliferation.
* **Growth Factors:** Neurotrophic factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promote survival and proliferation of neuroblasts. Their signaling pathways involve tyrosine kinase receptors and downstream effectors that activate gene expression and cell cycle progression.
* **MicroRNAs (miRNAs):** Small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Specific miRNAs are involved in the fine-tuning of neuroblast proliferation by targeting mRNAs of key regulators, such as cell cycle proteins and transcription factors.

**Extrinsic Factors:**

* **Signaling Molecules:** Molecules secreted by surrounding cells, like glial cells and astrocytes, influence neuroblast proliferation. These factors include Wnt ligands, Sonic hedgehog, and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), which act through specific receptors and signal transduction pathways to regulate cell division.
* **Extracellular Matrix (ECM):** The ECM provides structural support and biochemical cues for neuroblast proliferation. Interactions of neuroblasts with ECM components, like laminin and collagen, activate signaling pathways that regulate cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation.
* **Environmental Factors:** Environmental cues, such as oxygen tension and nutrient availability, can influence neuroblast proliferation. For instance, hypoxia, a condition of low oxygen levels, can trigger signaling pathways that promote cell survival and proliferation.

The balance between these intrinsic and extrinsic factors is critical for proper neuroblast proliferation. Disruptions in this delicate balance can lead to developmental disorders or diseases, such as neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of neuroblasts.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (88)