Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Novel functions and signalling pathways for GDNF.

Hannu Sariola1, Mart Saarma

  • 1Institute of Biomedicine, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), FIN-00014, Finland. hannu.sariola@helsinki.fi

Journal of Cell Science
|September 4, 2003
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Drugs targeting synaptic RNA m6A methylation regulate synaptic transmission and plasticity in the rat hippocampus.

Experimental neurology·2026
Same author

Biology of RET receptor and its ligands: focus on the nervous system.

Endocrine-related cancer·2025
Same author

Neurotrophic factors for Parkinson's disease: Current status, progress, and remaining questions. Conclusions from a 2023 workshop.

Journal of Parkinson's disease·2025
Same author

RNA m<sup>6</sup>A methyltransferase activator affects anxiety-related behaviours, monoamines and striatal gene expression in the rat.

Acta neuropsychiatrica·2024
Same author

Comparative <i>In Vivo</i> Biocompatibility of Cellulose-Derived and Synthetic Meshes in Subcutaneous Transplantation Models.

Biomacromolecules·2024
Same author

Viral and nonviral approaches.

Handbook of clinical neurology·2024

Glial-cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and related proteins support neuron survival and differentiation. Their signaling pathways are complex, involving multiple receptors and co-factors beyond the RET receptor tyrosine kinase.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Glial-cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and related ligands (NRTN, ARTN, PSPN) are crucial for neuronal survival.
  • These factors support various neuronal populations in the central and peripheral nervous systems, including dopaminergic neurons and motoneurons.
  • GDNF also plays roles outside the nervous system, in kidney morphogenesis and spermatogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the complex signaling mechanisms of GDNF family ligands.
  • To investigate the roles of various receptors and co-factors in GDNF-mediated signaling.
  • To understand GDNF's neurotrophic effects and non-neuronal functions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of GDNF family ligand interactions with specific receptors (GFRα proteins) and signaling pathways.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Investigation of RET-dependent and RET-independent signaling cascades.
  • Exploration of GDNF signaling involving transforming growth factor beta, heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans, Met receptor tyrosine kinase, Src-family kinases, NCAM, Fyn, and FAK.

    • Main Results:

    • GDNF family ligands signal through RET receptor tyrosine kinase in conjunction with GFRα proteins.
    • GDNF's neurotrophic effect (except in motoneurons) requires transforming growth factor beta for GFRα1 cell membrane transport.
    • GDNF can signal independently of RET via GFRα1, potentially activating Met receptor tyrosine kinase and also signaling through NCAM.

    Conclusions:

    • GDNF signaling is more intricate than initially understood, involving multiple receptor complexes and pathways.
    • The interplay between GDNF, GFRα proteins, RET, and other signaling molecules (e.g., TGF-β, Met, NCAM) dictates its diverse biological functions.
    • Further research into these complex pathways is essential for understanding neurotrophic support and developmental processes.