Abstract
Artemin (ARTN) is a member of the GDNF family of ligands and signals through the Ret/GFRalpha3 receptor complex. Characterization of ARTN- and GFRalpha3-deficient mice revealed similar abnormalities in the migration and axonal projection pattern of the entire sympathetic nervous system. This resulted in abnormal innervation of target tissues and consequent cell death due to deficiencies of target-derived neurotrophic support. ARTN is expressed along blood vessels and in cells nearby to sympathetic axonal projections. In the developing vasculature, ARTN is expressed in smooth muscle cells of the vessels, and it acts as a guidance factor that encourages sympathetic fibers to follow blood vessels as they project toward their final target tissues. The chemoattractive properties of ARTN were confirmed by the demonstration that sympathetic neuroblasts migrate and project axons toward ARTN-soaked beads implanted into mouse embryos.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Blood Vessels / embryology
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Blood Vessels / innervation
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Blood Vessels / metabolism*
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Cell Death / genetics
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Cell Movement / genetics*
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Cell Survival / genetics
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Chemotaxis / genetics*
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Digestive System / blood supply
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Digestive System / innervation
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Female
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Fetus
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Ganglia, Sympathetic / abnormalities
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Ganglia, Sympathetic / cytology
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Ganglia, Sympathetic / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
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Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors
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Horner Syndrome / genetics
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Horner Syndrome / pathology
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Horner Syndrome / physiopathology
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Membrane Glycoproteins*
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / embryology
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / innervation
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism
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Nerve Growth Factors / deficiency*
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Nerve Growth Factors / genetics
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Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / deficiency*
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Neurons, Afferent / cytology
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Neurons, Afferent / metabolism
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Pregnancy
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Receptors, Cell Surface / deficiency
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Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
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Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor*
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Splanchnic Circulation / genetics
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Sympathetic Nervous System / abnormalities*
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Sympathetic Nervous System / cytology
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Sympathetic Nervous System / metabolism
Substances
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Artn protein, mouse
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Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Nerve Growth Factors
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor