论文部分内容阅读
Background Nurr1 (nuclear receptor-related factor 1),a transcription factor of the steriod/thyroxin hormone nuclear receptor superfamily,is highly expressed in mesencephalic dopamine(DA) system.Nurrl is specifically required for the induction of ventral midbrain DArgic neurons and important for development and survival of mature DArgic neurons,the cells primarily lost in human Parkinsons disease(PD).In homozygous Nurrl-deficient mice,DArgic neurons fail to develop in the substantia nigra and ventrotegmental areas but are preserved in other brain regions.These observations suggest that Nurrl may play an important role in maintaining mature mesencephalic DArgic neuron function and may be one of the potential susceptibility factors for PD.Objectives To investigate possible correlation between the expression of Nurr1 gene and selective cell death of DArgic neurons.