Genetic Evidence for the Role ofThy-1in Neurite Outgrowth in the Mouse

Abstract
Non-neuronal accessory cells of mouse dorsal root ganglion cultures secrete a complex that stimulates neurite outgrowth in neonatal sympathetic ganglion neurons. A monoclonal antibody that binds to these two cell types also immunoprecipitates neurite outgrowth complex from mouse conditioned medium and binds to mouse brain tissue. Genetic analysis of the component recognized by the antibody revealed that it maps to the Thy-1 locus on mouse chromosome 9. Further studies of celll-type specificity, sedimentation analysis and antibody competition, confirmed that it is indistinguishable from the product of the Thy-1 locus. The finding of an association between Thy-1 and neurite outgrowth complex in the mouse argues for a role of the Thy-1 locus in the interactions of neurons with their surroundings.