Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

To directly compare biological activities of the neurotrophins NT4 and BDNF in vivo, we replaced the BDNF coding sequence with the NT4 sequence in mice (Bdnfnt4-ki). Mice expressing NT4 in place of BDNF were viable, in contrast with BDNF null mutants, which die shortly after birth. Although the Bdnfnt4-ki/nt4-ki and wild-type Bdnf+/+ alleles yielded similar levels of NT4 and BDNF proteins, NT4 supported more sensory neurons than BDNF and promoted functional synapse formation in cultured hippocampal neurons. Homozygous Bdnfnt4-ki/nt4-ki mice showed reduced body weight, infertility and skin lesions, suggesting unique biological activities of NT4 in vivo. The distinct activities of NT4 and BDNF may result partly from differential activation of the TrkB receptor and its down-stream signals.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/73921

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Neurosci

Publication Date

04/2000

Volume

3

Pages

350 - 357

Keywords

Animals, Animals, Newborn, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Cell Count, Cells, Cultured, Geniculate Bodies, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Mutagenesis, Nerve Growth Factors, Neurons, Afferent, Nodose Ganglion, Signal Transduction, Synapses, Transfection, Vestibular Nuclei