Reelin glycoprotein : structure, biology, and roles in health and disease

Reelin glycoprotein is a major secretory protein with important roles in embryogenesis and during adult life. Reelin gene mutations or deficiency of the protein product cause abnormal cortical development and reelin signaling impairment in brain. Since the first discovery of the reelin mutant mouse in 1951 by Falconer, and later discovery of the gene for reelin in 1995, there has been an explosion of new knowledge about this important molecule. __Reelin Glycoprotein: Structure, Biology and Roles in Health and Disease__, written by an international panel of experts, summarizes the state of the knowledge on various aspects of reelin. Topics include the reelin gene and its receptors, downstream effector molecules in reelin signaling cascade, chemistry and structure of reelin, comparative anatomy of reelin, presence of reelin in various body tissues, reelin mutations, and abnormalities of reelin production in neuropsychiatric disorders and cancer. This book will serve as a foundation for analysis of this emerging novel protein for all neuroscientists and clinicians.

Reelin glycoprotein is a serine protease with important roles in embryogenesis and during adult life. Reelin mutations or deficiency of the protein product could cause abnormal cortical development and reelin signaling impairment in brain. Reelin abnormalities in several neurospychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, mood disorders and lissencephaly, may provide mechanistic explanations for etiologies of these disorders. There is also emerging data indicating the feasibility of using various medications (valproic acid, olanzapine) to increase mRNA/protein levels for reelin and/or gene therapy to prevent or treat reelin deficiencies observed in the above-mentioned disorders.

This comprehensive and integrative book examines the role that reelin plays in the etiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Michael Joel Schrift, D.O., M.A.(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description:The glycoprotein reelin, involved in a multitude of important neurobiological processes including embryogenesis and brain development, is the focus of this informative and interesting book. Mutations in the reelin gene resulting in a deficiency or alteration of this glycoprotein have been implicated in causing abnormal cortical development as well as possibly in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autistic disorder. Written and edited by internationally recognized authorities in the field, this up-to-date summary of the current status of reelin research is a welcome addition to the scientific literature.
Purpose:The purpose, according to the editor, is to provide a timely and necessary book detailing reelin research and presenting contributions from an international panel of experts. The editor notes that there have been 665 published papers on reelin, and thus it is important to consolidate knowledge about this interesting molecule.
Audience:The intended audience includes researchers in the field and clinicians. Clinicians who are interested in understanding the importance of epigenetic factors involved in neuropsychiatric disorders would be find this book helpful.
Features:The book covers reelin gene effects on brain development and evolution, the cerebellum, radial glial cells, and cognition as well as its involvement with oxytocin, thyroid hormone, the liver and lymphatics, Cajal-Retzius cells, odontogenesis, lissencephaly, the etiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders, schizophrenia, autistic disorders, Alzheimer disease, stroke, and pancreatic cancer. Each chapter concludes with relevant and timely citations of the scientific literature.
Assessment:This is an excellent summary of the current state of research findings on this putatively important glycoprotein. Anyone involved in neurobiological research would want to be knowledgeable about the research covered in this informative book.

Front Matter....Pages i-xxiii The Reelin Gene and Its Functions in Brain Development....Pages 1-13 Apolipoprotein E Receptor 2 and Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor: An Overview....Pages 15-35 Chemistry of Reelin....Pages 37-47 The C-Terminal Region of Reelin: Structure and Function....Pages 49-56 Crystal Structure of Reelin Repeats....Pages 57-67 Comparative Anatomy and Evolutionary Roles of Reelin....Pages 69-87 Reelin/Dab1 Signaling in the Developing Cerebral Cortex....Pages 89-105 Ultrastructural Localization of Reelin....Pages 107-125 Reelin and Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5....Pages 127-139 Reelin and the Cerebellum....Pages 141-158 Reelin and Radial Glial Cells....Pages 159-169 Reelin and Cognition....Pages 171-191 Protein Kinases and Signaling Pathways that Are Activated by Reelin....Pages 193-216 The Relationship of Oxytocin and Reelin in the Brain....Pages 217-226 Reelin and Thyroid Hormone....Pages 227-235 A Tale of Two Genes: Reelin and BDNF....Pages 237-250 Reelin, Liver, and Lymphatics....Pages 251-261 Reelin and Cajal-Retzius Cells....Pages 263-277 Reelin and Odontogenesis....Pages 279-290 Homozygous and Heterozygous Reeler Mouse Mutants....Pages 291-309 Reelin and Lissencephaly....Pages 311-316 The Role of Reelin in Etiology and Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders....Pages 317-339 Reelin Downregulation as a Prospective Treatment Target for GABAergic Dysfunction in Schizophrenia....Pages 341-363 Epigenetic Modulation of Reelin Function in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder....Pages 365-384 Reelin Gene Polymorphisms in Autistic Disorder....Pages 385-399 Alzheimer’s Disease and Reelin....Pages 401-409 Reelin and Stroke....Pages 411-420 Reelin and Pancreatic Cancer....Pages 421-430 Back Matter....Pages 431-440 Reelin glycoprotein is a serine protease with important roles in embryogenesis and during adult life. This comprehensive and integrative book examines the role that reelin plays in the etiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism. The book provides an unprecedented analysis of this emerging and novel protein by examining evidence from genetic, neuroanatomic, biochemical, and behavioral studies.