The response of motoneurons to neurotrophins |
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Authors: | Michael Sendtner Bettina Holtmann Richard A Hughes |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 11, D-97080 Würzburg;(2) Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Grattan St., 3052 Parkville, Victoria, Australia |
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Abstract: | The ongoing search for neurotrophic factors for motoneurons has led to the identification of a number of molecules which regulate
motoneuron survival and function. Among these factors, the neurotrophins brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3
(NT-3) and NT-4/5 but not nerve growth factor (NGF), can prevent embryonic and postnatal motoneuron cell death in a variety
of experimental paradigms. Analysis of expression of p75, trkB and trkC—components of the neurotrophin receptors—supports
a potential physiological role for these factors as muscle- and glial-derived trophic factors for motoneurons. However, the
survival of motoneurons during embryonic development is not reduced in the absence of BDNF, NT-3 or NT-4, as revealed by gene
knockout experiments. This points to the involvement of additional trophic factors in the regulation of embryonic and postnatal
motoneuron survival. The purpose of this review is to bring together the often prophetic observations from earlier studies—prior
to the identification and characterization of these neurotrophins—with more recent results.
Special issue dedicated to Dr. Hans Thoenen. |
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Keywords: | Spinal cord brain-derived neurotrophic factor neurotrophin-3 neurotrophin-4 motoneuron survival motoneuron |
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