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Rat ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF): Gene structure and regulation of mRNA levels in glial cell cultures
Author(s) -
Carroll Patrick,
Sendtner Michael,
Meyer Michael,
Thoenen Hans
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
glia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.954
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1098-1136
pISSN - 0894-1491
DOI - 10.1002/glia.440090303
Subject(s) - ciliary neurotrophic factor , biology , neurotrophic factors , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroscience , neuroglia , messenger rna , gene , central nervous system , genetics , receptor
The structure of the rat ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) gene and the regulation of CNTF mRNA levels in cultured glial cells were investigated. The rat mRNA is encoded by a simple two‐exon transcription unit. Sequence analysis of the region upstream of the transcription start‐site did not reveal a typical TATA‐box consensus sequence. Low levels of CNTF mRNA were detected in cultured Schwann cells, and CNTF mRNA was not increased by a variety of treatments. Three‐week‐old astrocyte‐enriched cell cultures from new‐born rat brain contained easily detectable CNTF mRNA. In astrocyte‐enriched cultures, upregulation of CNTF mRNA levels was observed after treatment with IFN‐γ. CNTF mRNA levels were down‐regulated in these cells by treatments that elevate intracellular cyclic AMP and by members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. The implications of these results for potential in vivo functions of CNTF are discussed. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.