Abstract

Studies performed in my laboratory have documented the existence in rat embryos of cell populations - located in intestinal mesenchyme and in several cranial sensory and dorsal root ganglia - which transiently express aspects of the catecholamine (CA) phenotype. Cells in developing gut, e.g., possess tyrosine hydroxylase (T-OH), dopamine B-hydroxylase, CA fluorescence, and a specific, high-affinity uptake process for CA's. In addition, they respond to elevated maternal glugocorticoid hormones and nerve growth factor with increased levels of T-OH and a prolonged expression of CA traits. Utilizing these transiently CA populations we plan to investigate factors which control the maintenance (or loss) or neurotransmitter phenotypic expression. Specifically, the plan is to 1) investigate both in vivo and in vitro the site of glucocorticoid action on gut cells, 2) determine the fate of transiently CA cells in gut by pharmacological prolongation of CA traits and simultaneous detection of other NT's known to be present in adult gut, 3) determine the function of transient neurotransmitter expression in embryonic intestine, 4) determine the capacity of intestinal mesenchyme to support CA traits, and 5) examine transiently T-OH-positive cells in cranial sensory ganglia with respect to phenotypic fate and response to hormonal and environmental factors both in vivo and in vitro.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS023687-01
Application #
3407458
Study Section
Neurological Sciences Subcommittee 1 (NLS)
Project Start
1985-09-27
Project End
1989-01-31
Budget Start
1985-09-27
Budget End
1987-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Rutgers University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
038633251
City
New Brunswick
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code