Insights into receptor tyrosine kinases signaling in neurodegenerative disorders

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are a group of membrane-bound receptors comprising of extracellular ligand-binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular catalytic domain. RTKs play a crucial role in various cellular processes including cellular growth, motility, cell differentiation, and cell metabolism. The dysregulation of RTK activity is a contributing factor in the progression of many neurodegenerative disorders. Studies revealed the alterations rearranged during transfection, epidermal growth factor receptor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor-B TAM receptors, and tropomyosin receptor kinase in neurodegenerative disorders. Further, PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β and Wnt/catenin signaling pathways are found to be major pathways for neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth induced by RTKs. This chapter summarizes the most important aspects of RTK subfamilies and their intraneuronal signaling mechanisms in different neurodegenerative disorders. The understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of RTKs in neurodegenerative disorders has important implications for the selection of a suitable neuroprotective agent.