Classes of receptors, their signaling pathways, and their synthesis and transport

Abstract This chapter provides basic information on how a few embryonic cells can form a big brain that contains over 1011 neurons and about the same number of glial cells, and that is able of doing amazing things. Receptors will be defined as will their binding partners, ligands/trophic factors. Receptors and trophic factors are key elements in the evolution and development of the big brain. The different families of signaling plasma membrane and cytoplasmic/nuclear receptors will be described as will nutrient receptors. The types of signaling mechanisms employed by both plasma membrane and cytoplasmic/nuclear receptors are discussed, as is the mechanism of synthesis of secretory and integral membrane proteins including receptors and many trophic factors.