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Characterization of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α‐1 in peripheral nerve Schwann cells
Author(s) -
Hase Asako,
Saito Fumiaki,
Yamada Hiroki,
Arai Ken,
Shimizu Teruo,
Matsumura Kiichiro
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2005.03391.x
Subject(s) - glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor , schwann cell , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , neurotrophic factors , receptor , biochemistry
Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family receptor α‐1 (GFRα‐1) is a receptor component of GDNF that associates with and activates the tyrosine kinase receptor Ret. To further understand GDNF and its receptor system in the PNS, we first characterized the expression of GFRα‐1 in bovine peripheral nerve in vivo . GFRα‐1 immunoreactivity was localized adjacent to the outermost layer of myelin sheath, as well as in the endoneurium and axoplasm. In a fractionation study, GFRα‐1 was recovered mostly in the soluble fraction, although a small amount was recovered in the membrane fraction. A substantial amount of GFRα‐1 in the membrane fraction was extractable by detergent and alkaline conditions. To further clarify the expression of GFRα‐1 in Schwann cells, we examined cultured rat Schwann cells and the Schwannoma cell line RT4. Schwann cells expressed GFRα‐1 in both the soluble/cytosolic and membrane fractions, and the membrane form of GFRα‐1 was expressed at the outer surface of the Schwann cell plasma membrane. We also confirmed the secretion of the soluble form of GFRα‐1 from Schwannoma cells in a metabolic labeling experiment. These data contribute to our knowledge of the production, expression and functions of GFRα‐1 in the PNS.