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Disruption of the CNTF gene results in motor neuron degeneration

Nature volume 365, pages 27–32 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

CNTF is a cytosolic molecule expressed postnatally in myelinating Schwann cells and in a sub-population 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.

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Author notes

  1. Eckhard Wolf and Gottfried Brem: Institut für Molekulare Tierzucht, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Veterinärstrasse 13, D-80539 München, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Neurochemie, Max-Planck-lnstitut für Psychiatric, Am Klopferspitz 18A, Martinsried, D-82152, Germany

    Yasuo Masu, Eckhard Wolf, Bettina Holtmann, Michael Sendtner, Gottfried Brem & Hans Thoenen

Authors
  1. Yasuo Masu
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  2. Eckhard Wolf
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  3. Bettina Holtmann
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  4. Michael Sendtner
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  5. Gottfried Brem
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  6. Hans Thoenen
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Masu, Y., Wolf, E., Holtmann, B. et al. Disruption of the CNTF gene results in motor neuron degeneration. Nature 365, 27–32 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/365027a0

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