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Related Experiment Videos

GDNF availability determines enteric neuron number by controlling precursor proliferation.

Scott Gianino1, John R Grider, Jennifer Cresswell

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|April 2, 2003
PubMed
Summary
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Ret signaling is crucial for enteric nervous system (ENS) development and function. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) controls neuron number, while neurturin affects neuron size and projections, impacting intestinal contractility.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The enteric nervous system (ENS) regulates gastrointestinal function.
  • Ret signaling pathways are implicated in nervous system development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the specific roles of Ret signaling components in ENS development and function.
  • To investigate the contributions of GDNF and neurturin to ENS anatomy and intestinal motility.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of ENS anatomy and intestinal contractility in heterozygous mice (Ret, GFRalpha1, Ret ligands).
  • Immunohistochemistry for activated caspase 3.
  • Evaluation of neuron number and size in genetically modified mice (Bax(-/-), Bid(-/-)).

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Neurturin is vital for enteric neuron size and projection extent, but not neuron number.
  • GDNF availability controls ENS precursor proliferation and thus enteric neuron number.
  • Programmed cell death is not a significant factor in determining ENS neuron numbers.
  • Heterozygous mice for Ret signaling components exhibit impaired intestinal contractility and neurotransmitter release.

Conclusions:

  • GDNF and neurturin play distinct roles in ENS development.
  • Ret signaling is essential for both the structure and function of the ENS.
  • Impaired Ret signaling leads to significant gastrointestinal motility and neurotransmission deficits.