EXPRESSION OF NEURTURIN, GDNF, AND THEIR RECEPTORS IN THE ADULT-MOUSECNS

Neurturin (NTN) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are the first two members of the GDNF family (GF) of neurotrophic fac tors. These two proteins are potent survival factors for several popul ations of central and peripheral neurons in mature and developing rode nts. The receptor for these factors is a multicomponent complex that i ncludes the RET (rearranged during transfection) tyrosine kinase recep tor and one of two glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked Ligand-b inding components called GDNF family receptor alphas (GFR alpha-1 and GFR alpha-2). We have used in situ hybridization to study the mRNA exp ression of NTN, GDNF, RET, GFRa-1, and GFR alpha-2 in the central nerv ous system (CNS) of adult mice. GF receptors are expressed in several areas in which neuronal populations known to respond to NTN and GDNF a re located, including the ventral horn of the spinal cord and the comp acta region of the substantia nigra. In addition, we have demonstrated receptor expression in other areas of the brain including the thalamu s and hypothalamus. Neurons in these areas express GF receptors, and t herefore, may respond to NTN or GDNF. NTN and GDNF are expressed in ta rgets of neurons that express GF receptors. The pattern of GF factor a nd receptor expression in the adult brain suggests a role for these fa ctors in maintaining neuronal circuits in the mature CNS. J. Comp. Neu rol. 398:139-150, 1998. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.