more growth factors--yippee
................................................................
19 April 2001
Nature 410, 940 - 944 (2001) © Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
Neuropeptide Y functions as a neuroproliferative factor
D. E. HANSEL, B. A. EIPPER & G. V. RONNETT
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has a number of functions in mammalian physiology.Here
we identify a
role for NPY in promoting proliferation of postnatal neuronal precursor
cells. NPY is synthesized in
the postnatal olfactory epithelium by sustentacular cells, previously
proposed to function only in
structural support. Mice with a targeted deletion of NPY contain half as
many dividing olfactory
neuronal precursor cells as do controls. Furthermore, NPY-deficient mice
develop significantly
fewer olfactory neurons by adulthood. NPY acts on multipotent neuronal
precursor or basal cells to
activate rapidly and transiently the extracellular signal-regulated kinase
(ERK)1/2 subgroup of
mitogen-activated protein kinases. The NPY Y1 receptor subtype appears to
mediate this effect. The
ability of NPY to induce neuronal precursor proliferation is mediated by
protein kinase C (PKC),
indicating an upstream PKC-dependent activation of ERK1/2. These results
indicate that NPY may
regulate neuronal precursor proliferation in the adult mammal.
Nature © Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2001 Registered No. 785998 England.
...............................................................
Ray Strand
Prairie Sky Design
-----------------( on the Edge of the Prairie Abyss )---------------
when the sky is clear
the ground is visible
49/dx PD 2 yrs/40? onset/retired
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