GDNF - A GLIAL-CELL LINE DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR FOR MIDBRAIN DOPAMINERGIC-NEURONS

A potent neurotrophic factor that enhances survival of midbrain dopami nergic neurons was purified and cloned. Glial cell line-derived neurot rophic factor (GDNF) is a glycosylated, disulfide-bonded homodimer tha t is a distantly related member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. In embryonic midbrain cultures, recombinant human GDNF p romoted the survival and morphological differentiation of dopaminergic neurons and increased their high-affinity dopamine uptake. These effe cts were relatively specific; GDNF did not increase total neuron or as trocyte numbers nor did it increase transmitter uptake by gamma-aminob utyric-containing and serotonergic neurons. GDNF may have utility in t he treatment of Parkinson's disease, which is marked by progressive de generation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.