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Y A Barde

Publications and source records attributed to Y A Barde.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

ras p21 protein promotes survival and fiber outgrowth of cultured embryonic neurons.

Although evidence obtained with the PC12 cell line has suggested a role for the ras oncogene proteins in the signal transduction of nerve growth factor-mediated fiber outgrowth, little is known about the signal transduction mechanisms involved in the neuronal response to neurotrophic factors in nontransformed cells. We report here that the oncogene protein T24-ras, when introduced into the cytoplasm of freshly dissociated chick embryonic neurons, promotes the in vitro survival and neurite outgrowth of nerve growth factor-responsive dorsal root ganglion neurons, brain-derived neurotrophic factor-responsive nodose ganglion neurons, and ciliary neuronotrophic factor-responsive ciliary ganglion neurons. The proto-oncogene product c-Ha-ras also promotes neuronal survival, albeit less strongly. No effect could be observed with truncated counterparts of T24-ras and c-Ha-ras lacking the 23 C-terminal amino acids including the membrane-anchoring, palmityl-accepting cysteine. These results suggest a generalized involvement of ras or ras-like proteins in the intracellular signal transduction pathway for neurotrophic factors.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor prevents neuronal death in vivo.

Developing vertebrate neurons are thought to depend for their survival on specific neurotrophic proteins present in their target fields. The limited availability of these proteins does not allow the survival of all neurons initially innervating a target, resulting in the widely observed phenomenon of naturally occurring neuronal death. Although a variety of proteins have been reported to promote the survival of neurons in tissue culture, the demonstration that these proteins increase neuronal numbers and/or decrease neuronal death in vivo has only been possible with nerve growth factor (NGF). The generalization of the concept that neurotrophic proteins regulate neuronal survival during normal development critically depends on the demonstration that the survival of neurons in vivo can be increased by the administration of a neurotrophic protein different from NGF. We report here that this is the case with brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein of extremely low abundance purified from the central nervous system.

Animals↗

Binding characteristics of brain-derived neurotrophic factor to its receptors on neurons from the chick embryo.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein known to support the survival of embryonic sensory neurons and retinal ganglion cells, was derivatized with 125I-Bolton-Hunter reagent and obtained in a biologically active, radioactive form (125I-BDNF). Using dorsal root ganglion neurons from chick embryos at 9 d of development, the basic physicochemical parameters of the binding of 125I-BDNF with its receptors were established. Two different classes of receptors were found, with dissociation constants of 1.7 x 10(-11) M (high-affinity receptors) and 1.3 x 10(-9) M (low-affinity receptors). Unlabeled BDNF competed with 125I-BDNF for binding to the high-affinity receptors with an inhibition constant essentially identical to the dissociation constant of the labeled protein: 1.2 x 10(-11) M. The association and dissociation rates from both types of receptors were also determined, and the dissociation constants calculated from these kinetic experiments were found to correspond to the results obtained from steady-state binding. The number of high-affinity receptors (a few hundred per cell soma) was 15 times lower than that of low-affinity receptors. No high-affinity receptors were found on sympathetic neurons, known not to respond to BDNF, although specific binding of 125I-BDNF to these cells was detected at a high concentration of the radioligand. These results are discussed and compared with those obtained with nerve growth factor on the same neuronal populations.

Animals↗

Neurotrophic factors and neuronal death.

The well-documented physiological role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in peripheral sympathetic and neural-crest-derived sensory neurons in vivo has its exact counterpart in vitro. This provided the conceptual basis for developing in vitro analytical procedures for the purification of new neurotrophic molecules. The experimental approaches used are discussed in the context of the purification of new neurotrophic factors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). The importance of the modulatory role played by extracellular matrix molecules, in particular laminin, on both NGF-mediated and BDNF-mediated survival effects is also delineated. BDNF is a very basic (pI approximately 10) molecule of about 12 kDa, having physico-chemical characteristics close to those of the monomer of NGF. However, the spectrum of its biological actions is distinctly different from that of NGF. In particular, BDNF supports the survival of retinal ganglion cells and placode-derived peripheral sensory neurons which are not supported by NGF. The trophic supply of primary sensory neurons projecting to both the central nervous system and the periphery is discussed. It is hypothesized that sensory neurons receive limited quantities of neurotrophic molecules from both peripheral and central axons, a mechanism ensuring the survival of neurons adequately connected with both peripheral and central targets.

Animals↗

In vivo effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on the survival of developing dorsal root ganglion cells.

Implantation of silastic membranes between neural tube and somites at somitic levels 20-24 in 30-somite-stage chick embryos results in separation of early migrated neural crest cells of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) anlage from the neural tube and their death within a few hours [Kalcheim and Le Douarin, (1986) Dev. Biol., 116, 451-460]. The in vivo effects of brain-derived neutrotrophic factor (BNDF) on survival of HNK-1 immunoreactive DRG cells separated from the tube were examined by implantation of laminin-treated silastic membranes (controls) or BDNF/laminin-treated membranes. In the presence of BDNF/laminin-treated membranes, 20/25 grafted embryos fixed 10 h after implantation, contained many rescued cells on the operated side. In contrast, only a few rescued cells on the operated side. In contrast, only a few rescued cells were observed in sections on the operated in 2/11 embryos implanted with laminin-treated silastic membranes, and no rescued cells at all could be detected in embryos implanted with NGF/laminin-treated (seven embryos) or untreated silastic membranes (12 embryos). The data presented support the hypothesis that early survival and differentiation of neural crest-derived sensory cells depend on central nervous system-derived factor(s). Moreover, this is the first evidence for the in vivo activity of BDNF on survival of developing DRG cells.

Animals↗

High K+-mediated survival of spinal sensory neurons depends on developmental stage.

Elevated concentrations of K+ (35 mM) have previously been shown to support the survival of most embryonic chick sympathetic neurons in vitro (Wakade et al., Exp cell res 144 (1983) 377, [23]) and to be interchangeable with nerve growth factor (NGF) as a survival-promoting agent for these cells (Wakade & Thoenen, Neurosci lett 45 (1984) 71 [21]). In the present study, we show that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from embryonic day 6 do not survive in the presence of high K+, although both NGF and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) each support the survival of more than 50% of the cells at this developmental stage. At E6, high K+ appears to have a cytotoxic effect on BDNF-dependent neurons, and there is also considerable inhibition of neurite outgrowth. At a later developmental stage (E12), high K+ supports the survival of about 40% of DRG cells. This subpopulation of neurons is distinct from that supported by NGF (as evidenced by the additivity of these two agents), but partially overlaps with that supported by BDNF (i.e., the two agents are less than additive). At E12, only approx. 20% of the cells can be supported by either NGF or BDNF, with the rest depending exclusively on one or the other of these factors. This is in contrast to the situation at E6, where there is considerable overlap between NGF- and BDNF-dependent populations.

Animals↗

cDNA cloning and complete sequence of porcine choline acetyltransferase: in vitro translation of the corresponding RNA yields an active protein.

A cDNA clone encoding the complete sequence of porcine choline acetyltransferase (ChoAcTase; acetyl-CoA: choline O-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.6.) has been identified. A cDNA library, constructed from poly(A)+ RNA of ventral spinal cord, was screened with a mixture of eight oligonucleotides corresponding to the N-terminal sequence of pig brain ChoAcTase. Among five positive clones, one, pChAT-1, was identified as a ChoAcTase cDNA clone based on the following criteria. (i) This clone has an open reading frame coding for a protein of the size expected for ChoAcTase (640 amino acids). (ii) The amino acid composition deduced from the nucleotide sequence of this open reading frame matches that of purified porcine ChoAcTase. (iii) When subcloned in the T7 expression system, the corresponding RNA directs the synthesis in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate of a protein that is specifically immunoprecipitated by antibodies raised against ChoAcTase. (iv) Finally and most important, this corresponding RNA, when translated in the reticulocyte lysate, as well as in the Xenopus oocyte system, directs the synthesis of a protein displaying ChoAcTase activity. This activity is inhibited by the specific ChoAcTase inhibitor 4-(1-naphthylvinyl)pyridine. Comparison of porcine ChoAcTase sequence with that of Drosophila reveals 32% identity between these proteins, when the sequences are suitably aligned. pChAT-1 probe hybridizes with a porcine mRNA species that is at least 7000 nucleotides long, whereas the equivalent rat mRNA species is 3700 nucleotides long.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

N-terminal sequence of pig brain choline acetyltransferase purified by a rapid procedure.

A procedure is reported that allows the purification and amino terminal sequencing of pig brain choline acetyltransferase. The enzyme (present in extremely low amounts in this tissue) is eluted together with its antibody from an affinity column by a mild pH shift and the resulting enzyme-antibody complex separated by gel electrophoresis. The band corresponding to the enzyme is electroeluted from the gel using volatile solutions allowing the direct determination of the amino acid composition and partial sequence. The first 11 residues are: Pro-Ile-Leu-Glu-Lys-Thr-Pro-Pro-Lys-Met-Ala.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor supports the survival of cultured rat retinal ganglion cells.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a small, basic protein purified from the mammalian brain that has been shown previously to support the survival of cultured spinal sensory neurons (Barde et al., 1982). In current studies, BDNF was tested for its ability to support the survival of cultured CNS cells isolated from the perinatal rat retina. Both immunofluorescent labeling of Thy-1 and prior retrograde labeling with HRP were used as retinal ganglion cell markers in vitro. With embryonic day (E) 17 retinas, it was found that BDNF allowed the survival of a small subpopulation of neurons (about 7% of the cells plated at this age) identified by the immunofluorescent labeling of Thy-1. No detectable effects were seen when either the total number of cells or the number of tetanus toxin-positive neurons was measured. BDNF also had an effect on cultured neurons retrogradely labeled after HRP injections in the superior colliculi of neonatal rats. The BDNF-responsive population was therefore detected only in retinal cultures with specific markers and identified as consisting of retinal ganglion cells. These cells could be enriched about 80-fold by density gradient centrifugation, and purified ganglion cell cultures were shown to be responsive to BDNF. Whereas with E17 retinas, the number of surviving Thy-1 positive neurons could be kept constant for at least 4 d, the survival of postnatal neurons was only transiently increased by BDNF. We conclude that in the retina, BDNF affects only the survival of ganglion cells in vitro by a direct action on these cells. The results are discussed in terms of target-derived neurotrophic support during development.

Animals↗

The response of chick sensory neurons to brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

To determine the spectrum of activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) among first-order sensory neurons, explants of the nine distinct populations of sensory neurons from embryonic chicks of 3-14 d incubation (E3-E14) were grown in collagen gels with and without BDNF in the culture medium. The explants responded to BDNF with profuse neurite outgrowth and comprised those in which neurons are derived from neural crest (the dorsomedial part of the trigeminal ganglion, rostromedial part of the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus, jugular ganglion, and lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia) and from epibranchial placodes (the ventrolateral part of the trigeminal ganglion and the geniculate, petrosal, and nodose ganglia). This response was first clearly observed in the ventrolateral trigeminal and nodose ganglia as early as E4, but did not appear until later in other explants. The dorsomedial trigeminal, jugular, and geniculate ganglia were the latest to develop a response, which was not apparent until E8. In all explants the response was maximal between E10 and E12, and there was a decline in the magnitude of the response from E12 to E14. Although explants of the vestibular ganglion failed to respond to BDNF, the survival and growth of vestibular neurons in dissociated neuron-enriched cultures were promoted by BDNF. To investigate whether all first-order sensory neurons respond to BDNF or whether BDNF-responsive neurons comprise a distinct subset, we studied the influence of BDNF and NGF on the survival and growth of the placode-derived and the neural crest-derived neurons of the trigeminal ganglion in dissociated neuron-enriched culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Placode and neural crest-derived sensory neurons are responsive at early developmental stages to brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

The response of embryonic chick nodose ganglion (neural placode-derived) and dorsal root ganglion (neural crest-derived) sensory neurons to the survival and neurite-promoting activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was studied in culture. In dissociated, neuron-enriched cultures established from chick embryos between Day 6 (E6) and Day 12 (E12) of development, both nodose ganglion (NG) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were responsive on laminin-coated culture dishes to BDNF. In the case of NG, BDNF elicited neurite outgrowth from 40 to 50% of the neurons plated at three embryonic ages; E6, E9, and E12. At the same ages, nerve growth factor (NGF) alone or in combination with BDNF, had little or no effect upon neurite outgrowth from NG neurons. The response of NG neurons to BDNF was dose dependent and was sustainable for at least 7 days in culture. Surprisingly, in view of a previous study carried out using polyornithine as a substrate for neuronal cell attachment, on laminin-coated dishes BDNF also sustained survival and neurite outgrowth from a high percentage (60-70%) of DRG neurons taken from E6 embryos. In marked contrast to NG neurons, the combined effect of saturating levels of BDNF and NGF activity on DRG neurons was greater than the effect of either agent alone at all embryonic ages studied. Under similar culture conditions, BDNF did not elicit survival and neurite outgrowth from paravertebral chain sympathetic neurons or parasympathetic ciliary ganglion neurons. We propose that primary sensory neurons, regardless of their embryological origin, are responsive to a "central-target" (CNS) derived neurotrophic factor--BDNF, while they are differentially responsive to "peripheral-target"-derived growth factors, such as NGF, depending on whether the neurons are of neural crest or placodal origin.

Animals↗

Differences and similarities in the neurotrophic growth factor requirements of sensory neurons derived from neural crest and neural placode.

This article reviews recent studies that have examined differences and similarities in the neurotrophic growth factor requirements of neural crest- and neural placode-derived sensory neurons of the developing chick embryo. From in vitro experiments using both explant and dissociated, neuron-enriched cultures of spinal and cranial nerve sensory neurons, it has been established that only sensory neurons of neural crest origin are responsive, at least in terms of survival and neurite outgrowth, to mouse submandibular gland nerve growth factor (NGF). Sensory neurons derived from neural placodes (neurons of the ventrolateral portion of the trigeminal ganglion and the entire neuronal population of the vestibular, geniculate, petrosal and nodose ganglia) are largely unresponsive to NGF throughout embryonic development, but do respond to neurotrophic activity present in extracts of brain and various peripheral 'end-organs', such as heart or liver. By incubation of neuron-enriched cultures with radiolabelled [125I]NGF, followed by autoradiographic exposure, it has been demonstrated that placode-derived neurons, in marked contrast to those of neural crest origin, are completely devoid of specific cell surface receptors for NGF. In contrast to differences in their requirement and responsiveness to NGF, both placode- and crest-derived sensory neurons are responsive to the survival and neurite-promoting activity of a recently purified brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). It is postulated that all primary sensory neurons have a dual growth factor requirement during development; their survival being dependent on a supply of both a peripheral and a central 'target'-derived neurotrophic factor. It appears that BDNF may act as common 'central target-derived' neurotrophic factor for both placode- and crest-derived sensory neurons, but that within peripheral tissues there are specific neurotrophic factors for each of these two classes of primary sensory neurons.

Animals↗