Involvement of a receptor for neurite outgrowth factor (NOFR) in cerebellar neurogenesis

A receptor for neurite outgrowth factor (82 kDa membrane protein, NOFR) was detected in the developing chick cerebellum by immuno- and ligand blots. In immunohistochemical study, NOFR was maximally expressed in the external granular layer of cerebellum at embryonic day 10-12 and gradually decreased until embryonic day 18. Neurite outgrowth and cell migration induced by NOF from cerebellar explants were completely suppressed by the addition of anti-NOFR IgG. These results suggest that NOFR plays an important role in the cerebellar neurogenesis.