Developmental regulation of early serotonergic neuronal differentiation: the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and membrane depolarization

Article Abstract:

Understanding serotonin metabolism is becoming more important in view of the therapeutic focus on this substance. Serotonin metabolism is different during different developmental stages and the endogenous serotonin (5HT) signal is expressed during serotonergic differentiation. Undifferentiated cells of the neuronal cell line RN46A express low levels of tryptophan hydroxylase, neurotrophin receptor and trkB immunoreactivity. The transporter for the uptake of 5HT is present but 5HT synthesis takes place only if the cells are treated with brain-derived neurotrophic factor and grown under conditions of partial membrane depolarization.

author: Eaton, Mary J., Staley, Julie K., Globus, Mordecai Y.-T., Whittemore, Scott R.
Serotonin metabolism

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Overexpression of NGF within the heart of transgenic mice causes hyperinnervation, cardiac enlargement, and hyperplasia of ectopic cells

Article Abstract:

A transgenic mouse model was developed to examine the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) during sensory neural development. In the model, NGF expression was increased by placing a NGF minigene under the transcriptional control of the cardiac-specific alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed subpopulation of ectopic cells derived from the neural crest and an increase in myocardial mass. This suggests that increased NGF is produced by hyperinnervation of the heart and expansion of neural crest-cell types.

author: Federoff, Howard J., Soonpaa, Mark H., Field, Loren J., Taylor, Doris A., Hassankhani, Alborz, Steinhelper, Mark E., Katz, Ellen B., Andrade-Rozental, Adriana, Factor, Stephen M., Steinberg, Jacob J.
Nervous system, Neurotrophins, Neurotropin

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Key role played by RhoA in the balance between planar and apico-basal cell divisions in the chick neuroepithelium

Article Abstract:

The contribution of RhoA gene in creating equilibrium between planar and apico-basal cell divisions during neurogenesis in chicks is studied.

author: Roszko, I., C. Afonso, D. Henrique, Mathis, L.
France, Portugal, Genetic aspects, Chicks, Chicks (Infant chickens), Company growth

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subjects list: Research, Growth, Neurons
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