GDNF: a Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor for Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons

作者：Leu-Fen Hou Lin, Daniel H. Doherty, Jack D. Lile, Susan L. Bektesh, Frank M. Collins · 发表于：Science · 年份：1993 · DOI：10.1126/science.8493557 · 被引用次数：3248 · 研究领域：Nerve injury and regeneration、Autism Spectrum Disorder Research、Neuroscience and Neural Engineering

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-beta 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 gamma-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.