1,25-DIHYDROXYVITAMIN-D-3, AN INDUCER OF GLIAL-CELL LINE-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR

GLIAL cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has significant the rapeutic potentials, in particular for neurodegenerative disorders. To determine factors that would enhance GDNF expression, we analysed the effect of 1,25-(OH)(2) D-3 in C6 glioma cells. Treatment of C6 cells with 10(-7) M, 1,25-(OH)(2) D-3 for 48 h elicited an 18.5-fold increas e in the level of GDNF mRNA. In addition, our results indicate that 1, 25-(OH)(2) D-3 is effective at concentrations as low as 10(-10) M and that retinoic acid has additive effects. These data indicate that 1,25 -(OH)(2) D-3 is a potent inducer of GDNF expression and suggest that 1 ,25-(OH)(2) D-3 may contribute to the regulation of GDNF in vivo.