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Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Growth Factor Inhibits Apoptotic Death of Postnatal Substantia Nigra Dopamine Neurons in Primary Culture

  1. Robert E. Burke1,*,
  2. Megan Antonelli1,
  3. David Sulzer1,2,3

Article first published online: 13 NOV 2002

DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1998.71020517.x

Issue

Journal of Neurochemistry

Journal of Neurochemistry

Volume 71, Issue 2, pages 517–525, August 1998

Additional Information

How to Cite

Burke, R. E., Antonelli, M. and Sulzer, D. (1998), Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Growth Factor Inhibits Apoptotic Death of Postnatal Substantia Nigra Dopamine Neurons in Primary Culture. Journal of Neurochemistry, 71: 517–525. doi: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1998.71020517.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Departments of Neurology,

  2. 2

    Psychiatry, and

  3. 3

    Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, U.S.A.

* Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. R. E. Burke at Department of Neurology, Box 67, 710 W. 168 St., New York, NY 10032, U.S.A.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 NOV 2002
  2. Article first published online: 13 NOV 2002
  3. Received January 20, 1998; revised manuscript received March 9, 1998; accepted March 13, 1998.

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Keywords:

  • Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor;
  • Apoptosis;
  • Substantia nigra;
  • Dopamine;
  • Parkinson's disease;
  • Trophic factors

Abstract: Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was identified on the basis of its ability to enhance the development of embryonic mesencephalic dopamine neurons. It remains unknown whether GDNF is a physiologically relevant trophic factor for these neurons. We have shown that natural cell death among dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra occurs largely postnatally. To investigate whether GDNF may have the ability to support these neurons during their period of natural cell death, we have used a postnatal primary culture model. We find that GDNF is able to support the viability of postnatal nigral dopamine neurons by inhibiting apoptotic death. This ability of GDNF shows both regional specificity for the nigra and cellular specificity for the dopamine phenotype. Among eight other neurotrophic factors previously reported to support embryonic dopamine neurons, GDNF was unique in this ability. Thus, GDNF meets this criterion for a physiologically relevant trophic factor for dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra.

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