title: A role for BDNF in mechanosensation.
abstract: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a survival factor for certain sensory neurons during development. Using electrophysiology in BDNF-deficient mice, we show here that slowly adapting mechanoreceptors (SAM), but not other types of cutaneous afferents, require BDNF in postnatal life for normal mechanotransduction. Neurons lacking BDNF did not die, but instead showed a profound and specific reduction in their mechanical sensitivity, which was quantitatively the same in BDNF -/- and BDNF +/- animals. Postnatal treatment of BDNF +/- mice with recombinant BDNF completely rescued the mechanosensitivity deficit. Therefore BDNF is important for regulating SAM mechanosensitivity, independent of any survival-promoting function.
authors: Department of Neurobiochemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Neurobiology, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Carroll
authors: G R
authors: GR
authors: Lewin
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Koltzenburg
authors: K V
authors: KV
authors: Toyka
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Thoenen
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout / Q000235:genetics; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012677:Sensation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D011994:Recombinant Proteins