Recombinant adenovirus vector-mediated functional expression of neurotropin-3 receptor (TrkC) in neural stem cells

Exp Neurol. 2007 Jan;203(1):123-7. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2006.07.028. Epub 2006 Sep 27.

Abstract

We have constructed a recombinant adenovirus expression vector carrying the human neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) receptor TrkC (tyrosine protein kinase C) gene (rAd-TrkC; 2478 bp) and confirmed the expression of the encoded TrkC in green fluorescent protein (GFP)-murine neural stem cells (NSCs) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot analysis, and immunocytochemistry. The activity of the expressed rAd-TrkC was verified in vitro by evaluating dose-related responses of NSCs to NT-3, a TrkC specific ligand. TrkC-GFP-NSCs had a significantly higher percentage of neuronal differentiation when treated with NT-3 relative to the rAd-LacZ control cells (55.2% vs. 29.8%; P<0.05, chi(2) test). Thus, our rAd-TrkC vector can transfect NSCs and produce functional TrkC receptors to promote neuronal differentiation of NSCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Molecular Biology / methods
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurotrophin 3 / metabolism
  • Neurotrophin 3 / pharmacology
  • Receptor, trkC / agonists
  • Receptor, trkC / genetics*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Neurotrophin 3
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Receptor, trkC