Differential expression of mRNAs of GDNF family in the striatum following 6-OHDA-induced lesion

Changes of mRNA levels of GDNF and its recently discovered congeners persep hin, neurturin, artemin in the striatum of lesioned side following 6-hydrox ydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion in rodents were investigated with semi-quantitati ve RT-PCR. Two weeks after the lesions were made, mRNA levels of GDNF famil y members, except for neurturin, were significantly increased in the striat um on the side ipsilateral to the lesion compared with equivalent tissue of sham control. This increase reached a maximal level 5-7 weeks post-lesion. The marked increase of BDNF mRNA expression was also observed in the ipsil ateral striatum with similar time course. These findings suggest that 6-OHD A-induced lesions can change gene expression in denervated target tissue, a nd that mRNA levels of GDNF family members in striatal cells may be modulat ed by afferent dopaminergic input in a slow-rising and long-lasting fashion . NeuroReport 11:3289-3293 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.