A fundamental question in developmental biology is how a limited number of growth factors and their cognate receptors coordinate the formation of tissues and organs endowed with enormous morphological complexity. We report that the related neurotrophins NGF and NT-3, acting through a common receptor, TrkA, are required for sequential stages of sympathetic axon growth and, thus, innervation of t...

We examined the potential influences of muscle-derived neurotrophins on the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gene expression of adult rat motoneurons. Seven days after facial nerve transection, both AChE mRNA and enzyme activity levels were markedly reduced in untreated and vehicle-treated facial motoneurons, suggesting positive regulation of motoneuron AChE expression by muscle-derived factors. Bec...

objective(s): studies have confirmed that microgravity, as a mechanical factor, influences both differentiation and function of mesenchymal stem cells. here we investigated the effects of simulated microgravity on neural differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (adscs). materials and methods:we have used a fast rotating clinostat (clinorotation) to simulate microgravity condition. re...

Neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) act through the tropomyosin-related receptor tyrosine kinases (Trk) and the pan-neurotrophin receptor (p75) to regulate complex developmental and functional properties of neurons. While NGF activates both receptor types in sympathetic neurons, differential signaling through TrkA and p75 can result in wi...

ÐMigration of the granule cells is a major stage of cerebellar maturation. Granule cells express neurotrophins and their receptors; however, their role in cell migration has not been de®ned. In this study we investigated the effects of exogenous neurotrophins on the movement and neurite extension of granule cells from glial-free cerebellar cell reaggregates in vitro. Our results provide direct ...

Localization of Trk neurotrophin receptors is an important factor in directing cellular communication in developing and mature neurons. One potential site of action is in lipid raft membrane microdomains. Although Trk receptors have been localized to lipid rafts, little is known about how these neurotrophin receptors are directed there or how localization to these membrane microdomains regulate...

We examined the expression of the neurotrophins (NTFs) and their receptor mRNAs in the rat trigeminal ganglion and the first branchial arch before and at the time of maxillary nerve growth. The maxillary nerve appears first at embryonic day (E)10 and reaches the epithelium of the first branchial arch at E12, as revealed by anti-L1 immunohistochemistry. In situ hybridization demonstrates, that a...