| First Author | Hirata T | Year | 1995 |
| Journal | Brain Res Dev Brain Res | Volume | 85 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 201-11 |
| PubMed ID | 7541320 | Mgi Jnum | J:24542 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:72280 | Doi | 10.1016/0165-3806(94)00205-e |
| Citation | Hirata T, et al. (1995) Characterization of c-kit-positive neurons in the dorsal root ganglion of mouse. Brain Res Dev Brain Res 85(2):201-11 |
| abstractText | Previously, we showed that c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed by a subpopulation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, and that the ligand for the c-kit receptor, stem cell factor (SCF), induces the neurite outgrowth and supports the survival of these neurons in culture [16]. However, it is unknown which class of DRG neurons express c-kit receptor and which factor regulates differentiation and survival of c-kit-positive neurons. In the present study, we attempted to characterize c-kit positive neurons in the mouse DRG. The c-kit-positive neurons were small or medium in size, and 44% of these neurons contained substance P. Central fibers of the c-kit-positive neurons terminated in laminae I and II of the gray matter of the spinal cord. These results suggest that c-kit-positive neurons in the DRG belong to a functional subpopulation. The c-kit receptor protein was presented on the membrane of processes and growth cones in neurons. When DRG cells of embryonic day 15.5 or 17.5 were cultured, the survival of c-kit-positive neurons was supported by SCF, nerve growth factor (NGF) or leukemia inhibitory factor. SCF and NGF synergistically supported the survival of c-kit-positive neurons at submaximal concentrations. c-kit-positive DRG neurons from neonatal mice survived without addition of any factor in culture, suggesting that the requirement for trophic support in c-kit-positive neurons changes during development. |
