21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abstract: We have investigated whether Schwann cells can be modified by gene transfer to synthesize L‐3,4‐dihydroxy‐phenylalanine (L‐DOPA), the immediate precursor in the formation of dopamine. By using a retrovirus containing a rat tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) cDNA, we established an immortalized rodent Schwann cell line that stably expressed high levels of TH and secreted L‐DOPA in vitro when supplied with tyrosine and the essential cofactor biopterin. We also infected primary Schwann cells and demonstrated that cells expressing TH secreted L‐DOPA while maintaining their capacity to myelinate neurons in vitro. This study indicates that it may be feasible to utilize autotransplantation of genetically modified Schwann cells to alleviate the movement disorders in Parkinson's disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1030-1036
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neurochemistry
Volume56
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1991

Keywords

  • Parkinson's disease
  • Recombinant retrovirus
  • Tyrosine hydroxylase gene

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