Article Abstract:
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) prevents death of sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in mice. Cultured DRG cells show a decrease in the number of neurons within 72 hr of treatment with antisense oligonucleotides. These oligonucleotides inhibit the translation of prepro-BDNF. The death of neurons can be prevented by treating these cells with BDNF or neurotrophin-3. Mutant mice containing a null mutation in the BDNF gene contain less neurons than the wild-type mice and their neurons are unaffected by the action of antisense oligonucleotides.
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Article Abstract:
Neurotrophins would appear to have diverse functions, especially in the adult central nervous system. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) produces several neuromodulatory effects in the brain. Research shows that BDNF has wide distribution in nerve terminals, even in brain areas lacking BDNF messenger RNA. It is thought that anterograde BDNF transport from neuron cell bodies to terminals, could be significant in BDNF trafficking in the brain.
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Article Abstract:
The application of neurotrophic factors such as glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) prevents the destruction of neurons in the body. The GDNF is a peculiar member of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily and exhibits high specificity towards dopamine neurons. The GDNF can be used to treat diseases such as Parkinson's diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis which are caused by death of neurons.
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