Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor GFR alpha 1 is expressed in the rat striatum during postnatal development

• Published in: Brain research. Molecular brain research. 2004-08, Vol.127 (1-2), p.96-104
• Main Authors: Cho, J, Yarygina, O, Oo, T F, Kholodilov, NG, Burke, R E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0169-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.05.015

Dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) undergo a natural cell death event which is biphasic, with peaks at postnatal days (PNDs) 2 and 14. There is growing evidence that GDNF functions as a striatal target-derived neurotrophic factor to regulate the first phase. It has been unknown whether the GDNF receptor, GFR alpha 1, may play a role in regulating either phase. To evaluate a possible role for GFR alpha 1 we have examined its expression throughout postnatal development in the SN and particularly in the striatum, where its expression has been uncertain. GFR alpha 1 mRNA is highly expressed in SN, as previously shown, with highest levels at PND14-28. We find that it is also expressed in striatum with a similar time course, but with a more discrete period of maximal expression between PND10 and PND14. The cellular basis of this maximum of expression is an increased number of GFR alpha 1 mRNA-positive medium-sized neurons evenly distributed within the striatum. Immunostaining reveals GFR alpha 1 protein-positive neurons with a similar morphology and distribution. We conclude that GFR alpha 1 is expressed in striatum maximally late in postnatal development. In this location it may act in trans to influence the viability and development of nigral dopamine neurons.