GDNF: a Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor for Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons
- 21 May 1993
- journal article
- editorial
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 260 (5111) , 1130-1132
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.8493557
Abstract
A potent neurotrophic factor that enhances survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons was purified and cloned. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a glycosylated, disulfide-bonded homodimer that is a distantly related member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. In embryonic midbrain cultures, recombinant human GDNF promoted the survival and morphological differentiation of dopaminergic neurons and increased their high-affinity dopamine uptake. These effects were relatively specific; GDNF did not increase total neuron or astrocyte numbers nor did it increase transmitter uptake by γ-aminobutyric-containing and serotonergic neurons. GDNF may have utility in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, which is marked by progressive degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.Keywords
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