Disruption of the CNTF gene results in motor neuron degeneration

Nature. 1993 Sep 2;365(6441):27-32. doi: 10.1038/365027a0.

Abstract

CNTF is a cytosolic molecule expressed postnatally in myelinating Schwann cells and in a subpopulation of astrocytes. Although CNTF administration prevents lesion-mediated and genetically determined motor neuron degeneration, its physiological function remained elusive. Here it is reported that abolition of CNTF gene expression by homologous recombination results in a progressive atrophy and loss of motor neurons in adult mice, which is functionally reflected by a small but significant reduction in muscle strength.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Motor Neurons / cytology
  • Motor Neurons / physiology*
  • Muscles / physiopathology
  • Nerve Degeneration*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Spinal Cord / cytology
  • Spinal Cord / embryology
  • Spinal Cord / growth & development

Substances

  • Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins