Examining signaling molecules in nervous system
The EC-funded GDNF project set out to examine the mechanisms involved in nerve cell development and repair. The starting point was the GDNF molecule, a nervous system growth factor. GDNF appears as an attractive target of choice for the treatment neurodegenerative diseases. Project partners are focusing on the role of GNDF in the nervous system in order to understand the sequence of signalling events that take place during the development and repair processes. It is anticipated that the newly gained insight will aid researchers towards the development of innovative neuroprotective therapies. Studies at the University of Helsinki investigated the role and function of GNDF in great detail. Researchers also focused on the structure of the GDNF receptor and they provided the first model for the GDNF-receptor interaction. Data further revealed that in addition to its "traditional" receptor molecule, GDNF interacts with syndecan-3. Syndecan-3 is highly expressed during brain development and maturation. GDNF was shown to interact with syndecan-3 in vitro although the implications of that interaction have not been fully explored. Scientists are keen to exchange information with research groups working on these topics and further this line of research.
