title: GDNF and protection of adult central catecholaminergic neurons.
abstract: Neurotrophic factors are small proteins necessary for neuron survival and maintenance of phenotype. They are considered as promising therapeutic tools for neurodegenerative diseases. The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protects catecholaminergic cells from toxic insults; thus, its potential therapeutic applicability in Parkinson's disease has been intensely investigated. In recent years, there have been major advances in the analysis of GDNF signaling pathways in peripheral neurons and embryonic dopamine mesencephalic cells. However, the actual physiological role of GDNF in maintaining catecholaminergic central neurons during adulthood is only starting to be unraveled, and the mechanisms whereby GDNF protects central brain neurons are poorly known. In this study, we review the current knowledge of GDNF expression, signaling, and function in adult brain, with special emphasis on the genetic animal models with deficiency in the GDNF-dependent pathways.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hidalgo-Figueroa
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gómez-Díaz
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López-Barneo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents