Cellular dopamine is increased following exposure to a factor derived from immortalized striatal neurons [corrected].
A factor obtained from an immortalized hybrid monoclonal cell line (X61) of striatal origin is capable of increasing the dopamine content of hybrid, monoclonal cells expressing a dopaminergic phenotype (MN9D) and of aggregate cultures containing primary dopaminergic neurons. The factor is a protein smaller than 100 kDa and appears to be different than a number of other trophic agents with effects on the dopaminergic neuron. The effect on dopamine content appears to be specific to centrally-derived neuronal elements; the protein having no effect on the dopamine content of PC12 cells. Given that parkinsonian symptoms are only apparent following degeneration of a substantial portion of the mesencephalic dopaminergic cell population, activity capable of increasing dopamine content of the surviving cells may represent an interesting candidate therapeutic agent.
Heller
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A
Department of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, The University of Chicago, 947 East 58th Street, IL 60637, USA. effe@midway.uchicago.edu
Freeney
A
A
Hessefort
S
S
Villereal
M
M
Won
L
L
D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000166:cytology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006822:Hybrid Cells; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D004298:Dopamine