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Neuronal development in the rat sensory ganglia

Memberg, Stacey Piszczkiewicz
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1057770010

Abstract Details

1995, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Neurosciences.
Universal issues in neurodevelopment include the processes of neuronal precursor commitment, proliferation, differentiation and survival. These events, while highly coordinated, may proceed in a different temporal sequence in individual precursors. Thus, molecules that regulate specific events and reagents that identify presumptive neuron precursors provide insights into underlying developmental programs. The studies in this thesis show that neuron specific tubulin (NST) is a biochemical marker expressed in the initial stages of neuronal differentiation in a wide range of neuronal precursors. Flattened dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells in vitro and neuroepithelial-shaped spinal cord precursors in vivo express NST, implying that some cells begin neuronal differentiation while morphologically immature. The expression of NST in mitotic sensory, sympathetic and spinal cord neuroblasts in vivo and in vitro suggests that at least some neurons in these structures arise through the proliferation of a precursor committed to a neuronal fate. Taken together, this implies that neuronal differentiation in many regions of the nervous system appears to be a complex process during which proliferation ceases, rather than an event initiated only after terminal division. Analysis of DRG precursors and neurons in vitro established selective neurotr ophin effects on sensory neuron development. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) enhanced proliferation of DRG neuronal precursors in vitro. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), and to a lesser extent NGF and NT-3, promoted the survival of embryonic sensory neurons in vitro during neurogenesis in vivo. During axogenesis in vivo, NGF, NT-3 and NT-4, but not BDNF, supported E14.5 DRG neuronal survival in culture. During the period when most peripheral target innervation has occurred in vivo, only NGF and LIF supported neonatal DRG neurons in vitro. Thus, the present experiments have identified critical periods of neurotrophin responsiveness. A switch in trophic dependence suggests that DRG neurons regulate trk expression and/or responsiveness. Finally, mammalian DRG represents a well characterized region of the nervous system whereby trk selectivity and activation may be investigated in a biologically relevant manner
Alison Hall (Advisor)
194 p.
Biology, Neuroscience
Ganglia, sensory; Neurons, development; Rats

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Memberg, S. P. (1995). Neuronal development in the rat sensory ganglia [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1057770010

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Memberg, Stacey. Neuronal development in the rat sensory ganglia. 1995. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1057770010.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Memberg, Stacey. "Neuronal development in the rat sensory ganglia." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 1995. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1057770010

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1057770010
371
© 1995, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.