Premium
Oct‐6 (SCIP Tst‐1) is expressed in Schwann cell precursors, embryonic Schwann cells, and postnatal myelinating Schwann cells: Comparison with Oct‐1, Krox‐20, and Pax‐3
Author(s) -
Blanchard Andrew D.,
Sinanan Andrea,
Parmantier Eric,
Zwart Ronald,
Broos Ludo,
Meijer Dies,
Meier Carola,
Jessen Kristján R.,
Mirsky Rhona
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4547(19961201)46:5<630::aid-jnr11>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - schwann cell , embryonic stem cell , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroglia , neuroscience , central nervous system , genetics , gene
The POU domain transcription factor Oct‐6 (SCIP/ Tst‐1) is likely to control important stages of Schwann cell development, including the initiation of myelination around birth. Here, we use immunocytochemical and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction techniques to examine Oct‐6 earlier in nerve development, to test the idea that Oct‐6 has an additional role in Schwann cell precursors or early embryonic Schwann cells, a possibility raised by previous studies on transgenic mice. Consistent with this, we find low but unambiguous levels of Oct‐6 mRNA and protein in Schwann cell precursors of mouse and rat (nerves from 12‐ and 14‐day‐old embryos, respectively), with expression levels gradually increasing during early Schwann cell development and towards birth. Unexpectedly, Oct‐6 immunoreactivity is clearly present in nuclei of most myelinating cells at least as late as postnatal day 12. Furthermore, many nonmyelinating Schwann cells express Oct‐6 in adult life. A comparison of Oct‐6 mRNA with other Schwann cell transcription factors—namely, Oct‐1, Krox‐20, and Pax‐3—reveals that each factor exhibits strong developmental regulation and a unique expression pattern in embryonic nerves. Therefore, they are likely to play distinct regulatory roles in early development of the Schwann cell lineage. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.