Role of neuronal receptors in signal transduction and development

Communication between cells in the nervous system relies primarily on the interactions of transmitters with their receptors. As a consequence, the signal transduction pathway is initiated. In order to understand how communication works at the cellular level, it is important to understand the structures of these receptors. Using molecular techniques, 4 different receptors have been cloned and their deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences determined. These receptors have now been introduced into tissue culture cells for expression studies in order to determine the ligands with which these receptors interact. One receptor that has been identified is novel and may represent a new class of molecule that interacts with low density lipoproteins and consequently initiates a signal transduction cascade.