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Po gene expression in cultured Schwann cells

  • Published:
Journal of Neurocytology

Summary

This study examines the expression of the major myelin protein gene Po in cultured Schwann cells, grown on their own or in association with neurons. Many freshly dissociated Scwhann cells from actively myelinating nerves express Po mRNA in high abundance. If neurons are not present, signal intensity falls markedly with time so that by 7 days in culture only a basal expression is evident which is negligible compared to the levelin vivo. Dorsal root ganglia from embryo day 16 (E16) rats contain no significant levels of Po mRNA but when grown in full myelinating medium (containing serum and embryo extract) increasing expression is seen from 4 to 5 days onward even though myelination does not occur until after the second week. In this intervening period the intensity of Po mRNA expression is lower than that found in the actively myelinating cell. Neurons from sympathetic ganglia are also capable of inducing Po mRNA expression. Schwann cells in dorsal root ganglia explants grown in serum-free defined medium do not assemble a basal lamina and will not wrap or myelinate axons. Nevertheless Po mRNA, but not protein, is expressed in levels similar to those found in full myelinating medium prior to myelination. Such Schwann cells also exhibit galactocerebroside and the sulphatide recognised by the 04 antibody. It appears that in defined medium or in myelinating medium prior to myelination axonal signals can induce Po mRNA expression to a certain degree. However, full up-regulation is usually associated with the rapid membrane expansion accompanying myelination. Whether this augmented up-regulation is due to further axonal signalling or events in the Schwann cell is unknown, but the results suggest that Po expression can be regulated at several stages of synthesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Neurobiology Group and Depts. of Veterinary Surgery, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

    S. Morrison, L. S. Mitchell, I. R. Griffiths, C. E. Thomson, J. A. Barrie & D. Kirkham

  2. Applied Neurobiology Group and Depts. of Neurology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

    M. S. Ecob-Prince

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  1. S. Morrison
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  2. L. S. Mitchell
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  3. M. S. Ecob-Prince
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  4. I. R. Griffiths
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  5. C. E. Thomson
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  6. J. A. Barrie
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  7. D. Kirkham
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Morrison, S., Mitchell, L.S., Ecob-Prince, M.S. et al. Po gene expression in cultured Schwann cells. J Neurocytol 20, 769–780 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01187850

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01187850

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