Expression of human GFR alpha-1 (GDNF receptor) at the neuromuscular junction and myelinated nerves

Motor neurons have been known to require a wide variety of neurotrophic fac tors for their survival. As one of the target-derived trophic factors, glia l cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to exert its effects on motor neurons via a receptor complex including GDNF receptor alp ha 1 (GFR alpha-1). Immunoreactivity of GFR alpha-1 was observed at myelina ted peripheral nerves and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of human skeletal mu scles. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses sh owed that mRNA of GFR alpha-1 existed in the ventral horn of hu man spinal cord, but not in the skeletal muscles. The results suggested that GFRa-1 mi g ht play a key role for uptake and internalization of GDNF at the human NM J. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.