Coordination of Schwann cell myelination and node formation at the transcriptional level

Nodes of Ranvier are specialized, highly polarized axonal domains crucial to the propagation of saltatory action potentials. In the peripheral nervous system, axo–glial cell contacts have been implicated in Schwann cell (SC) differentiation and formation of the nodes of Ranvier. SC microvilli establish axonal contact at mature nodes, and their components have been observed to localize early to sites of developing nodes. However, a role for these contacts in node formation remains controversial. Using a myelinating explant culture system, we have observed that SCs reorganize and polarize microvillar components, such as the ezrin-binding phosphoprotein 50 kD/regulatory cofactor of the sodium-hydrogen exchanger isoform 3 (NHERF-1), actin, and the activated ezrin, radixin, and moesin family proteins before myelination in response to inductive signals. These components are targeted to the SC distal tips where live cell imaging reveals novel, dynamic growth cone–like behavior. Furthermore, localized activation of the Rho signaling pathway at SC tips gives rise to these microvillar component–enriched “caps” and influences the efficiency of node formation.

Download Full-text

Human Neurofibromas in Co-Culture with Mouse Neurons

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100053632 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 40 ◽

pp. 194-195

Author(s):

R.L. Martuza ◽

T. Liszczak ◽

A. Okun ◽

T-Y Wang

Keyword(s):

Schwann Cell ◽

Schwann Cells ◽

Genetic Disorder ◽

Cranial Nerves ◽

Sympathetic Nerves ◽

Acoustic Neuromas ◽

Spinal Roots ◽

Neural Crest Origin ◽

Multiple Abnormalities ◽

Other Neoplasms

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with a prevalence of 1/3,000 births. The NF mutation causes multiple abnormalities of various cells of neural crest origin. Schwann cell tumors (neurofibromas, acoustic neuromas) are the most common feature of neurofibromatosis although meningiomas, gliomas, and other neoplasms may be seen. The schwann cell tumors commonly develop from the schwann cells associated with sensory or sympathetic nerves or their ganglia. Schwann cell tumors on ventral spinal roots or motor cranial nerves are much less common. Since the sensory neuron membrane is known to contain a mitogenic factor for schwann cells, we have postulated that neurofibromatosis may be due to an abnormal interaction between the nerve and the schwann cell and that this interaction may be hormonally modulated. To test this possibility a system has been developed in which an enriched schwannoma cell culture can be obtained and co-cultured with pure neurons.

Download Full-text

Endotoxin-Induced Tissue Factor in Human Monocytes is Dependent upon Protein Kinase C Activation

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1649673 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 70 (05) ◽

pp. 800-806 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

C Ternisien ◽

M Ramani ◽

V Ollivier ◽

F Khechai ◽

T Vu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase C ◽

Protein Kinase ◽

Tissue Factor ◽

Factor Ix ◽

Transcriptional Level ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Human Monocytes ◽

Kinase C ◽

Pkc Activation

SummaryTissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane receptor which, in association with factors VII and Vila, activates factor IX and X, thereby activating the coagulation protease cascades. In response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) monocytes transcribe, synthesize and express TF on their surface. We investigated whether LPS-induced TF in human monocytes is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) activation. The PKC agonists phorbol 12- myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PdBu) were both potent inducers of TF in human monocytes, whereas 4 alpha-12, 13 didecanoate (4 a-Pdd) had no such effect. Both LPS- and PMA-induced TF activity were inhibited, in a concentration dependent manner, by three different PKC inhibitors: H7, staurosporine and calphostin C. TF antigen determination confirmed that LPS-induced cell-surface TF protein levels decreased in parallel to TF functional activity under staurosporine treatment. Moreover, Northern blot analysis of total RNA from LPS- or PMA-stimulated monocytes showed a concentration-dependent decrease in TF mRNA levels in response to H7 and staurosporine. The decay rate of LPS-induced TF mRNA evaluated after the arrest of transcription by actinomycin D was not affected by the addition of staurosporine, suggesting that its inhibitory effect occurred at a transcriptional level. We conclude that LPS-induced production of TF and its mRNA by human monocytes are dependent on PKC activation.

Download Full-text

CARP Plays a Key Role in Cellular Growth Under Hypertrophic Stimuli in Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes

Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal ◽

10.15695/vurj.v9i0.3790 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Tara A Shrout

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Ventricular Myocytes ◽

Cellular Growth ◽

Neonatal Rat ◽

Transcriptional Level ◽

Dual Nature ◽

Hypertrophic Growth ◽

Rat Ventricular Myocytes ◽

Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes ◽

Over Time

Cardiac hypertrophy is a growth process that occurs in response to stress stimuli or injury, and leads to the induction of several pathways to alter gene expression. Under hypertrophic stimuli, sarcomeric structure is disrupted, both as a consequence of gene expression and local changes in sarcomeric proteins. Cardiac-restricted ankyrin repeat protein (CARP) is one such protein that function both in cardiac sarcomeres and at the transcriptional level. We postulate that due to this dual nature, CARP plays a key role in maintaining the cardiac sarcomere. GATA4 is another protein detected in cardiomyocytes as important in hypertrophy, as it is activated by hypertrophic stimuli, and directly binds to DNA to alter gene expression. Results of GATA4 activation over time were inconclusive; however, the role of CARP in mediating hypertrophic growth in cardiomyocytes was clearly demonstrated. In this study, Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocytes were used as a model to detect changes over time in CARP and GATA4 under hypertrophic stimulation by phenylephrine and high serum media. Results were detected by analysis of immunoblotting. The specific role that CARP plays in mediating cellular growth under hypertrophic stimuli was studied through immunofluorescence, which demonstrated that cardiomyocyte growth with hypertrophic stimulation was significantly blunted when NRVMs were co-treated with CARP siRNA. These data suggest that CARP plays an important role in the hypertrophic response in cardiomyocytes.

Download Full-text