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The nerve growth factor receptor gene is expressed in both neuronal and non‐neuronal tissues in the human fetus
Author(s) -
Ernfors Patrik,
Wetmore Cynthia,
EriksdotterNilsson Maria,
Bygdeman Marc,
Strömberg Ingrid,
Olson Lars,
Persson Håkan
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/0736-5748(91)90073-u
Subject(s) - fetus , nerve growth factor , in situ hybridization , biology , embryo , messenger rna , receptor , gene expression , endocrinology , medicine , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , pregnancy , biochemistry , genetics
In situ hybridization was used to study expression of β‐nerve growth factor receptor (NGF‐R) mRNA in the early human fetus. In 8‐ to 12‐week old fetuses, high labelling was found over motoneurons along the entire length of the lateral motor column. High levels of NGF‐R mRNA were also seen over most developing nerve cell bodies in both the dorsomedial and ventrolateral part of the dorsal root ganglia. Lower, but clearly specific labelling was detected over a subpopulation of cells in Auerbach's plexus in the intestines. Evidence for a non‐neuronal expression of NGF‐R mRNA came from labelling over a subpopulation of cells in glomeruli of the kidney in a 12‐week old human embryo. Myoblasts in skeletal muscle anlagen were labelled as well as cells along peripheral nerve. The wide‐spread expression of NGF‐R mRNA in the human fetus suggests that the NGF‐R is important for development of a variety of different tissues of both neuronal and non‐neuronal origin.