Abstract
Neurotrophic factors were originally defined as paracrine molecules that promote the survival, differentiation, and repair of embryonic or adult neuronal cells. These factors include neurotrophins, neuropoietic cytokines, and the GDNF family of neurotrophic factors. Data recently obtained with transgenic and knockout mice revealed that neurotrophic factors and their receptors are also expressed in many organs outside the nervous system, and play an important role in embryonic development and in the maintenance of adult tissues. This review focuses on the role of neurotrophic factors in the development and maintenance of the male germ line after birth. Emphasis is given to glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), some of the signaling molecules recently discovered downstream of the Ret receptor, and the cooperation between GDNF and other juxtacrine and paracrine factors.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | The Y Chromosome and Male Germ Cell Biology in Health and Diseases |
Publisher | World Scientific Publishing Co. |
Pages | 149-184 |
Number of pages | 36 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9789812770431 |
ISBN (Print) | 9812703748, 9789812703743 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Neurotrophic factors
- Signal transduction
- Spermatogenesis
- Spermatogonia
- Stem cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
- General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
- General Medicine