GDNF: a glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor for midbrain dopaminergic neurons.
A potent neurotrophic factor that enhances survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons was purified and cloned. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a glycosylated, disulfide-bonded homodimer that is a distantly related member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. In embryonic midbrain cultures, recombinant human GDNF promoted the survival and morphological differentiation of dopaminergic neurons and increased their high-affinity dopamine uptake. These effects were relatively specific; GDNF did not increase total neuron or astrocyte numbers nor did it increase transmitter uptake by gamma-aminobutyric-containing and serotonergic neurons. GDNF may have utility in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, which is marked by progressive degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.
Synergen, Inc., Boulder, CO 80301.
L F
LF
Lin
D H
DH
Doherty
J D
JD
Lile
S
S
Bektesh
F
F
Collins
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004298:Dopamine / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D006801:Humans; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats
C495039:GDNF protein, human; C495041:Gdnf protein, rat; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D004298:Dopamine