Differential display technique has proven to be effective in identifying differentially regulated genes under a variety of experimental conditions. We identified beta1 adducin as a target in primary rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cultures that is upregulated by exposure to nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). We used real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for quantitative measurement of beta1 adducin gene expression both in DRG cultures and in vivo. Significant increase in beta1 adducin expression level was observed in DRG cultures treated with either GDNF or NGF, compared to untreated cultures. The expression of beta1 adducin in rat tissues was highest in the brain and high in the cerebellum, superior cervical ganglion and DRG tissues. By contrast, low expression levels of beta1 adducin are detected in sciatic nerve and in non-neural tissues. Our study also showed that expression of beta1 adducin gene is developmentally regulated in rat DRG and trigeminal ganglia, with a peak around P0 and significant attenuation by P21. The level of expression of beta1 adducin in adult rat DRG and trigeminal ganglia may be maintained by the action of neurotrophic factors that are produced in innervated targets like skin and muscle.