Characterization of Meteorin - An evolutionary conserved neurotrophic factor

Abstract

Growth factors control cellular growth, proliferation, and differentiation and may have therapeutic applications. In this study, we focus on Meteorin which is a member of a largely uncharacterized evolutionary conserved two-member growth factor family. Our analysis shows that Meteorin is expressed in the central nervous system both during development and in adult mice. Detailed immunohistological analysis of the adult mouse brain reveals that Meteorin is highly expressed in Bergmann glia and in a few discrete neuronal populations residing in the superior colliculus, the ocular motor nucleus, the raphe and pontine nuclei, and in various thalamic nuclei. In addition, low levels of Meteorin is ..