Your browser version may not work well with NCBI's Web applications. More information here...
1: Science. 1993 May 21;260(5111):1130-2.Click here to read Links
Comment on:
Science. 1993 May 21;260(5111):1072-3.

GDNF: a glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor for midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

Lin LF, Doherty DH, Lile JD, Bektesh S, Collins F.

Synergen, Inc., Boulder, CO 80301.

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.

PMID: 8493557 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Structures reported by this article