Neurotrophic factors for pelvic autonomic neurons: the role of neurturin

这个项目是关于骨盆副交感神经元，这是负责不自主的活动，如膀胱排尿和阴茎勃起。我们感兴趣的神经营养因子，决定这些神经元的生存在早期哺乳动物的发展，并保持他们在成年人的健康。鲜为人知？副交感神经营养因子梗概.然而，我们最近发现，蛋白neurturin是非常重要的盆腔副交感神经系统。我们将确切地确定neurturin如何影响骨盆神经元，以及它如何与其他神经营养因子相互作用。我们的研究结果将填补我们在基础神经生物学知识方面的一个重大空白。

This project is about pelvic parasympathetic neurons, which are responsible for involuntary activities such as bladder voiding and penile erection. We are interested in the neurotrophic factors that determine survival of these neurons during early mammalian development and keep them healthy in adults. Little is known about ?parasympathetic neurotrophic factors? in general. However we have recently discovered that the protein neurturin is very important in the pelvic parasympathetic system. We will determine exactly how neurturin affects pelvic neurons and how it interacts with other neurotrophic factors. Our results will fill a major gap in our knowledge of fundamental neurobiology.