Localization of GDNF/neurturin receptor (c-ret, GFRα-1 and α-2) mRNAs in postnatal rat brain: Differential regional and temporal expression in hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum

Abstract

Recent studies have identified a multi-component receptor system for the neurotrophic factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its homolog, neurturin (NTN), comprising the signaling tyrosine kinase, Ret and multiple GPI-linked binding proteins, GDNF family receptor α-1 and α-2 (GFRα-1 and GFRα-2). In the present study the localization of c-ret and GFRα-1 and GFRα-2 mRNAs was assessed in the developing rat brain from postnatal day 4 to 70 by in situ hybridization histochemistry, using specific [35S]-labeled oligonucleotides. GFRα-1 and GFRα-2 mRNAs were differentially distributed throughout the brain at all ages studied, particularly in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, subs..