Expression of GFR alpha-1, GFR alpha-2, and c-Ret mRNAs in rat adrenal gland.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), an important factor for developing and lesioned pre- and postganglionic sympathetic neurons, and its congeners signal through a receptor complex consisting of the tyrosine kinase c-Ret and a lipid-anchored alpha receptor (GFR alpha 1-4). Using in situ hybridization we show now that the mRNA for GFR alpha-2 is abundant in the adult rat adrenal medulla and its chromaffin cells. Coexpression of c-Ret and GFR alpha-1 mRNA's is restricted to a scarce subpopulation of medullary sympathetic neurons. Both GFR alpha-1 and GFR alpha-2 mRNA's are associated with preganglionic nerve trunks in the adrenal cortex. It is conceivable therefore that GDNF and related factors may activate chromaffin and preganglionic Schwann cells through a GFR-alpha receptor in absence of c-Ret.
Schober
A
A
Center for Neuroscience, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Arumäe
U
U
Saarma
M
M
Unsicker
K
K
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D019439:Chromaffin Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C495041:Gdnf protein, rat; C494989:Gfra1 protein, rat; C494992:Gfra2 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; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C416649:Ret protein, Drosophila; C495001:Ret protein, rat