Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor receptor mRNAs are expressed in distinct subgroups of dorsal root ganglion neurons and are differentially regulated by peripheral axotomy in the rat.
We examined the colocalization of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor genes in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, and investigated the changes of the gene expression following sciatic nerve transection using in situ hybridization histochemistry. About 60% and 35% of the lumbar DRG neurons expressed c-ret and trkA, proto-oncogenes of the functional receptors for GDNF and NGF, respectively. Of the DRG neurons, however, only 9% was positive for both genes. A marked enhancement of the gene expression for GDNF receptor alpha (GDNFR alpha), which is a component of GDNF receptor, was observed in DRG neurons after sciatic nerve transection, but the percentage of c-ret mRNA-expressing neurons was not changed. The trkA mRNA-expressing neurons were decreased in number. These findings suggest that GDNF and NGF support distinct subgroups in intact DRG neurons, and that these receptor genes are differentially regulated when a peripheral nerve is injured.
Department of Physiology, Kansai College of Oriental Medicine, Sennan, Osaka, Japan.
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Kashiba
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Hyon
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Senba
D000818:Animals; D019771:Axotomy; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D020917:Receptor, trkA; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C495041:Gdnf protein, rat; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020917:Receptor, trkA; C416649:Ret protein, Drosophila; C495001:Ret protein, rat