Regulation of neural development by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family ligands.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its three relatives constitute a novel family of neurotrophic factors, the GDNF family ligands. These factors signal through a multicomponent receptor complex comprising a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored cell surface molecule (GDNF family receptor (GFR) alpha) and RET tyrosine kinase, triggering the activation of multiple signaling pathways in responsive cells. Recent gene-targeting studies have demonstrated that GDNF family ligands are essential for the development of a diverse set of neuronal populations and we have now started to understand how these ligands uniquely regulate the formation and sculpting of the nervous system. Recent studies have also revealed interactions by multiple extracellular signals during neural development. The deciphering of GDNF family ligand signaling in neural cells promises to provide vital new insights into the development and pathology of the nervous system.
Enomoto
Hideki
H
RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. enomoto@cdb.riken.jp
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
C495039:GDNF protein, human; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D008024:Ligands; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases