Glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent neurotrophic factor that has reached clinical trials for Parkinson's disease. GDNF binds to its coreceptor GFRα1 and signals through the transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase RET, or RET independently through NCAM or syndecan-3. Whereas the GDNF signaling cascades are well described, cellular turnover and trafficking of GDNF and its receptors remain poorly characterized. Here, we find that SorLA acts as sorting receptor for the GDNF/GFRα1 complex, directing it from the cell surface to endosomes. Through this mechanism, GDNF is targeted to lysosomes and degraded while GFRα1 recycles, creating an efficient GDNF clearance pathway. The SorLA/GFRα1 complex further targets RET for endocytosis but not for degradation, affecting GDNF-induced neurotrophic activities. SorLA-deficient mice display elevated GDNF levels, altered dopaminergic function, marked hyperactivity, and reduced anxiety, all of which are phenotypes related to abnormal GDNF activity. Taken together, these findings establish SorLA as a critical regulator of GDNF activity in the CNS.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2012.12.011 | DOI Listing |
Nat Commun
December 2024
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Growth differentiation factor 15, GDF15, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogues act through brainstem neurons that co-localise their receptors, GDNF-family receptor α-like (GFRAL) and GLP1R, to reduce food intake and body weight. However, their use as clinical treatments is partially hampered since both can also induce sickness-like behaviours, including aversion, that are mediated through a well-characterised pathway via the exterolateral parabrachial nucleus. Here, in mice, we describe a separate pathway downstream of GFRAL/GLP1R neurons that involves a distinct population of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) cells in the medial nucleus of the tractus solitarius.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Cell Dev Biol
December 2024
Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States.
The cornea is densely innervated to maintain the integrity of the ocular surface, facilitating functions such as sensation and tear production. Following damage, alterations in the corneal microenvironment can profoundly affect its innervation, potentially impairing healing and sensory perception. One protein frequently upregulated at the ocular surface following tissue damage is galectin-3, but its contribution to corneal nerve regeneration remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cell Mol Med
December 2024
Division of Abdominal Tumor Multimodality Treatment, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics and Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy in Oncology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
The growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15)-glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha-like (GFRAL) pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of metabolism, appetite and body weight control. Obesity is an increasingly prevalent chronic disease worldwide, necessitating effective treatment strategies. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have highlighted that targeting the GDF15-GFRAL signalling pathway is a promising approach for treating obesity, particularly because it has minimal impact on skeletal muscle mass, which is essential to preserve during weight loss.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMolecules
November 2024
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada.
Microglia, the brain immune cells, support neurons by producing several established neurotrophic molecules including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Modern analytical techniques have identified numerous phenotypic states of microglia, each associated with the secretion of a diverse set of substances, which likely include not only canonical neurotrophic factors but also other less-studied molecules that can interact with neurons and provide trophic support. In this review, we consider the following eight such candidate cytokines: oncostatin M (OSM), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), activin A, colony-stimulating factor (CSF)-1, interleukin (IL)-34, growth/differentiation factor (GDF)-15, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!