Distribution of CNTF receptor alpha protein in the central nervous system of the chick embryo.
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) promotes the survival and differentiation of various neuronal and glial cell populations in the nervous system of vertebrates. In mammals, the ligand-binding alpha-subunit of the CNTF receptor (CNTFRalpha) is expressed in a variety of neuronal populations, including all CNTF-responsive cells. Previous studies suggested that functional differences in the CNTF/CNTF receptor system between chicks and mammals exist. The purpose of the present study was to examine the temporal and spatial expression pattern of the chick CNTFRalpha protein during CNS development. Receptor expression was detectable by immunoblotting in all CNS areas tested but showed area-specific developmental regulation. Interestingly, two variants of CNTFRalpha, 69 and 65 kD, were identified by immunoblotting with a shift from the higher to the lower molecular mass species occurring during development. Immunoreactivity for CNTFRalpha protein was preferentially observed in neuropil and white matter structures of the developing CNS while neuronal somata generally appeared unlabeled. For example, expression was observed in the olfactory system, in the telencephalon, in parts of the somatosensory system, in components of the tectofugal pathway, in the cerebellum, and in auditory brainstem nuclei. Fiber tracts that exhibit CNTFRalpha immunoreactivity were the lateral forebrain bundle, occipitomesencephalic tract, quintofrontal tract, and vestibular nerve. Our study identifies potential new targets of a chick CNTF-related molecule and reveals significant regional differences of CNTFRalpha protein expression between chick and mammals. These results suggest that the CNTF receptor performs distinct developmental functions in different animals.
Fuhrmann
Sabine
S
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eccles Institute of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA. sabine.fuhrmann@hmbg.utah.edu
Grabosch
Kim
K
Kirsch
Matthias
M
Hofmann
Hans-Dieter
HD
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor