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Towards a comprehensive understanding of the trophic support of motoneurons

Please always quote using this URN: urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-31117
  • Motoneurons played an essential role in establishing the concept of target-mediated support of innervating neurons. However, it took several decades until molecules were identined which trophically support motoneurons in vitro and in vivo. The most potent molecule identined so far is ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). It is expressed as a cytosolic molecule in myelinating Schwann cells rather than in skeletal muscle in the postnatal period and therefore does not qualify as a target-derived neurotrophic factor regulating motoneuron survivalMotoneurons played an essential role in establishing the concept of target-mediated support of innervating neurons. However, it took several decades until molecules were identined which trophically support motoneurons in vitro and in vivo. The most potent molecule identined so far is ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). It is expressed as a cytosolic molecule in myelinating Schwann cells rather than in skeletal muscle in the postnatal period and therefore does not qualify as a target-derived neurotrophic factor regulating motoneuron survival during embryonic development. However, the inactivation of CNTF by gene targeting experiments results in progressive atrophy and degeneration of motoneurons, demonstrating that CNTF plays an essential role as a maintenance factor for motoneurons postnatally. Secretory molecules which are expressed in skeletal muscle during embryonic development and which support motoneurons in culture and partially also in vivo include members of the NGF gene family (BDNF, NT-3, NT-4/S) , FGF-S, IGF-I, and UF. The evaluation of the physiological importance of these molecules is under investigation.show moreshow less

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Metadaten
Author: Hans Thoenen, Richard A. Hughes, Michael Sendtner
URN:urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-31117
Document Type:Book article / Book chapter
Faculties:Medizinische Fakultät / Institut für Klinische Neurobiologie
Language:English
Year of Completion:1993
Source:In: Comptes rendus de l'Académie des Sciences, Série 3, Sciences de la vie = Life sciences (1993) 316, 1161-1163.
Dewey Decimal Classification:6 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / 61 Medizin und Gesundheit / 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
Tag:CNTF; FGF-5; IGF-I; NGF gene family; gene targeting; lIF; neurotrophic molecules
Release Date:2010/01/12