In vitro maturation of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons from mouse embryos is enhanced in presence of their striatal target cells.
Long-term survival of mesencephalic and striatal cells from mouse embryos in dissociated primary cultures is described. Catecholaminergic neurons in mesencephalic culutres were identified histochemically and by measuring [3H]dopamine uptake and synthesis from [3H]tyrosine. According to experiments using specific inhibitors of catecholamine uptake, at least two-thirds of the catecholaminergic neurons are dopaminergic. These neurons differentiated whether or not striatal target cells were present, but striatal cells stimulated the development of the dopaminergic neurons. [3H]Dopamine uptake was increased by at least 2-fold regardless of the age of the cocultures (4-15 days). Enhanced [3H]dopamine synthesis was also observed (at least 2-fold) at later times (12-15 days).
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000502:physiology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism
D002395:Catecholamines; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine