title: PDGF A-chain gene is expressed by mammalian neurons during development and in maturity.
abstract: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) may be a critical factor in the temporal differentiation of glial elements in the mammalian central nervous system. We have used in situ hybridization and immunoperoxidase staining to investigate the localization of PDGF A and have observed high levels of PDGF A-chain mRNA and immunoreactive PDGF A in neurons of embryonic and adult mice. PDGF A-chain expression was shown to be developmentally regulated and tissue specific. Every neuronal population examined in the central and peripheral nervous systems expresses PDGF A transcripts. Variable, significantly weaker signals are observed in glial cells. In contrast to known neurotrophic factors, the PDGF A transcripts are widely distributed among neurons. This generalized distribution of PDGF A transcripts, together with the known effects of PDGF on glial cells in vitro, suggests a unique role of neurons in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of glial cells in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Washington University Medical Center, Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Ruit
authors.forename: Y X
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Parks
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Snider
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Deuel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005796:Genes; D005865:Gestational Age; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes