International Journal of Molecular Sciences Review Neurotrophins as Key Regulators of Cell Metabolism: Implications for Cholesterol Homeostasis Mayra Colardo 1 , Noemi Martella 1, Daniele Pensabene 1, Silvia Siteni 2, Sabrina Di Bartolomeo 1 , Valentina Pallottini 3,4 and Marco Segatto 1,* 1 Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
[email protected] (M.C.);
[email protected] (N.M.);
[email protected] (D.P.);
[email protected] (S.D.B.) 2 Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA;
[email protected] 3 Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Viale Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy;
[email protected] 4 Neuroendocrinology Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: Neurotrophins constitute a family of growth factors initially characterized as predominant mediators of nervous system development, neuronal survival, regeneration and plasticity. Their biological activity is promoted by the binding of two different types of receptors, leading to the generation of multiple and variegated signaling cascades in the target cells. Increasing evidence indicates that neurotrophins are also emerging as crucial regulators of metabolic processes in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. In this context, it has been reported that neurotrophins affect Citation: Colardo, M.; Martella, N.; redox balance, autophagy, glucose homeostasis and energy expenditure. Additionally, the trophic Pensabene, D.; Siteni, S.; Di support provided by these secreted factors may involve the regulation of cholesterol metabolism. In Bartolomeo, S.; Pallottini, V.; Segatto, this review, we examine the neurotrophins’ signaling pathways and their effects on metabolism by M.