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Nerve Growth Factor Regulates Expression of the Nerve Growth Factor Receptor Gene in Adult Sensory Neurons
Author(s) -
Lindsay R. M.,
Shooter E. M.,
Radeke M. J.,
Misko T. P.,
Dechant G.,
Thoenen H.,
Lindholm D.
Publication year - 1990
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 - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1990.tb00431.x
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , medicine , endocrinology , neurotrophin , ciliary neurotrophic factor , biology , dorsal root ganglion , fibroblast growth factor , neurotrophic factors , receptor , sensory neuron , sensory system , neuroscience , central nervous system
Sensory neurons of the adult rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) can be maintained in culture in the absence of nerve growth factor (NGF). We have thus used dissociated cultures of these neurons to study effects of NGF on the regulation of expression of mRNA encoding the nerve growth factor receptor (NGF‐R). In the absence of NGF, levels of NGF‐R mRNA remained constant for 7 days in cultures of adult rat DRG neurons. In the presence of NGF, NGF‐R mRNA levels rose two ‐ three‐fold after 2 days, reaching plateau levels (five ‐ six‐fold elevation) after 5 days. This NGF‐induced up‐regulation could be demonstrated even after prior NGF‐deprivation for 3–4 days. NGF had no effect upon NGF‐R mRNA levels in DRG non‐neuronal cells. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) were without effect on NGF‐R mRNA levels, but 8‐bromo‐cAMP decreased NGF‐R mRNA levels by 65% after 2 days. NGF also induced a rapid (30 min) rise in expression of c‐fos in DRG neurons, but not in non‐neuronal cells. Our results suggest that endogenous levels of NGF may regulate the expression of NGF‐R in vivo .