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GFRα‐3, a protein related to GFRα‐1, is expressed in developing peripheral neurons and ensheathing cells
Author(s) -
Widenfalk Johan,
Tomac Andreas,
Lindqvist Eva,
Hoffer Barry,
Olson Lars
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9568.1998.00192.x
Subject(s) - biology , glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor , schwann cell , neurturin , olfactory ensheathing glia , neuroscience , peripheral nervous system , central nervous system , in situ hybridization , nervous system , neurotrophic factors , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , gene expression , olfactory bulb , gene , biochemistry
We report here the identification of a gene, termed GFRα‐3 (glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha‐3), related to GFRα‐1 and GFRα‐2 (also known as GDNFR‐α and GDNFR‐β), and describe distribution of GDNFα‐3 in the nervous system and other parts of the mouse body during development and in the adult. GFRα‐3 in situ hybridization signals were found mainly in the peripheral nervous system, with prominent signals in developing dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia. Sympathetic ganglia were also positive. Developing nerves manifested strong GFRα‐3 mRNA signals, presumably generated by the Schwann cells. Olfactory ensheathing cells were also positive. Other non‐neuronal cells appearing positive during development included chromaffin cells in the adrenal gland and small clusters of cells in the intestinal epithelium. In the central nervous system no robust signals could be detected at any stage investigated with the present probes. Compared with the previously described GFRα‐1 and GFRα‐2 mRNAs, which are widely distributed in the central nervous system and peripheral organs, the expression of GFRα‐3 mRNA is much more restricted. The prominent expression in Schwann cells during development suggests a key role for GFRα‐3 in the development of the peripheral nervous system. As Schwann cells are known to lack expression of the transducing RET receptor, we propose that a possible function of GFRα‐3 during development could be to bind Schwann cell‐derived GDNF‐like ligands, thus presenting such molecules to growing axons.