Figure 5.

Neurturin is a key component of PGC-1α1-mediated motor neuron recruitment. A) Recruitment of axons using recombinant NRTN and NGF at day 6 of culture. Data is presented as mean ± SEM relative to control for n = 2 experiments with 2–3 devices per condition of each experiment. Statistical significance was determined using a one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's post-hoc test (***) p < 0.001. B) Hb9-GFP embryoid bodies on days 1 and 5 of motor neuron differentiation. Scale bar represents 100 μm. C) GDNF-family receptor α2 expression, as determined by qRT-PCR, in Hb9-GFP embryoid bodies on days 1 and 5 of motor neuron differentiation. Data is presented as mean ± SEM relative to day 1 for n = 3 experiments. Statistical significance was determined using a t-test (*) p < 0.05. D) Axon recruitment at day 6 of culture in response to overexpression of PGC-1α1 with shRNA inhibition of NRTN. Data is presented as mean ± SEM relative to GFP control for n = 2 experiments with 3–4 devices per condition of each experiment. NRTN expression, as determined by qRT-PCR, in the gastrocnemius muscles of E) mice overexpressing PGC-1α1 in skeletal muscle (MCK-PGC-1α1) and F) muscle-specific PGC-1α knockout mice (PGC-1α mKO), compared to wild type (WT) littermates. Data is presented as mean ± SEM relative to WT littermates control for n = 4 WT animals, n = 6 MCK-PGC1α1 animals, and n = 6 PGC-1α mKO animals.