| First Author | Holmes FE | Year | 2000 |
| Journal | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A | Volume | 97 |
| Issue | 21 | Pages | 11563-8 |
| PubMed ID | 11016970 | Mgi Jnum | J:65261 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:1913257 | Doi | 10.1073/pnas.210221897 |
| Citation | Holmes FE, et al. (2000) Targeted disruption of the galanin gene reduces the number of sensory neurons and their regenerative capacity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 97(21):11563-8 |
| abstractText | The neuropeptide galanin is expressed developmentally in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and is rapidly up-regulated 120-fold after peripheral nerve section in the adult. Here we report that adult mice carrying a loss-of-function mutation in the galanin gene have a 13% reduction in the number of cells in the DRG associated with a 24% decrease in the percentage of neurons that express substance P. These deficits are associated with a 2.8- and 2.6-fold increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the DRG at postnatal days 3 and 4, respectively. After crush injury to the sciatic nerve, the rate of peripheral nerve regeneration is reduced by 35% with associated long-term functional deficits. Cultured DRG neurons from adult mutant mice demonstrate similar deficits in neurite number and length. These results identify a critical role for galanin in the development and regeneration of sensory neurons. |
