Regulation of cell cycle progression in astrocytes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses that understanding of the regulation of cell-cycle progression in astrocytes is important for the interpretation of events occurring in the course of development during recovery from the central nervous system (CNS) injury in neurodegenerative diseases and in the development of tumors. It also explores cell-cycle regulation in mammalian cells, and then discusses the cell-cycle regulation in astrocytes under normal and pathological conditions. It concludes that elucidation of the mechanisms of glial cell-cycle control has profound implications for a wide range of pathological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, responses to CNS injury, and formation of glial tumors. Recent studies suggest that specific regions of the CNS retain the capacity for active neurogenesis and certain neuronal precursors retain the capacity to proliferate in the adult. In general, glial cells arise after the majority of neurons are born. With increased understanding, comes the identification of new potential therapeutic targets for the control of the deleterious effects of aberrant glial cell proliferation.