Sculpting organ innervation.
Neurotrophic growth factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), have well-established roles in promoting the innervation of target tissues, yet little is known about how the temporal and organ-specific expression of these factors is regulated. A new study reveals that NGF is a direct target of the well-characterized peptide factor endothelin-1 (ET-1), and that ET-1-induced NGF expression is required for sympathetic innervation of the developing heart. These results, and recent studies implicating GDNF and ET-3 in the patterning of the enteric nervous system, suggest that specific pairing of endothelins and neurotrophic factors may be used in distinct target organs to coordinate neuronal migration, differentiation, and survival.
Hempstead
Barbara L
BL
Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA. blhempst@med.cornell.edu
D000818:Animals; D016232:Endothelins / Q000502:physiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000196:embryology / Q000294:innervation; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D016232:Endothelins; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors