Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Primary Culture of Mouse Dopaminergic Neurons
Published on: September 8, 2014
A specific survival response in dopamine neurons at most risk in Parkinson's disease
Sachiko Murase1, Ronald D McKay
1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
Abstract:
The specific expression of fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF-20) in the adult substantia nigra and the association between FGF-20 mutations and Parkinson's disease provoked exploration of the function of this growth factor. We show by gain- and loss-of-function in vitro experiments that FGF-20 promotes survival and stimulates dopamine (DA) release in a calbindin-negative subset of cells that are preferentially lost in Parkinson's disease. FGF-20 selectively activates tyrosine hydroxylase in calbindin-negative neurons. In the adult substantia nigra, calbindin-negative neurons specifically express high levels of FGFR1 (FGF receptor 1). These data show that FGF signals to elevate DA levels and protect the specific midbrain neuron type at most risk in Parkinson's patients.
Related Concept Videos
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Parkinson Disease l: Introduction
Parkinson Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Parkinson's Disease: Overview
Neural Regulation
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis