Carbohydrate signaling in the brain

Abstract

Chem. neurobiol. is rapidly evolving and providing insights into the mols. and interactions involved in neuronal development, sensory perception and memory storage. We will describe the synergistic application of org. chem. and neurobiol. to understand how specific carbohydrate mols. contribute to the wiring of the brain during development, as well as the ability of axons to regenerate after injury. Chondroitin sulfate polysaccharides have traditionally been viewed as passive, "barrier" mols. that impede neuronal growth. By combining synthetic org. and polymer chem., computational chem. and in vivo biol., we now show that these mols. actively participate in signaling processes that underlie the formation of neural circuits and neuroregeneration.