Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic growth factor inhibits apoptotic death of postnatal substantia nigra dopamine neurons in primary culture.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was identified on the basis of its ability to enhance the development of embryonic mesencephalic dopamine neurons. It remains unknown whether GDNF is a physiologically relevant trophic factor for these neurons. We have shown that natural cell death among dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra occurs largely postnatally. To investigate whether GDNF may have the ability to support these neurons during their period of natural cell death, we have used a postnatal primary culture model. We find that GDNF is able to support the viability of postnatal nigral dopamine neurons by inhibiting apoptotic death. This ability of GDNF shows both regional specificity for the nigra and cellular specificity for the dopamine phenotype. Among eight other neurotrophic factors previously reported to support embryonic dopamine neurons, GDNF was unique in this ability. Thus, GDNF meets this criterion for a physiologically relevant trophic factor for dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra.
Department of Neurology, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA.
R E
RE
Burke
M
M
Antonelli
D
D
Sulzer
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000166:cytology*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
C495041:Gdnf protein, rat; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004298:Dopamine