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Expression of protein 4.1G in Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system
Author(s) -
Ohno Nobuhiko,
Terada Nobuo,
Yamakawa Hisashi,
Komada Masayuki,
Ohara Osamu,
Trapp Bruce D.,
Ohno Shinichi
Publication year - 2006
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/jnr.20949
Subject(s) - schwann cell , peripheral nervous system , nervous system , peripheral , neuroscience , protein expression , expression (computer science) , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , central nervous system , medicine , computer science , genetics , gene , programming language
The membrane‐associated cytoskeletal proteins, including protein 4.1 family, play important roles in membrane integrity, protein targeting, and signal transduction. Although protein 4.1G (4.1G) is expressed ubiquitously in mammalian tissues, it can have very discrete distributions within cells. The present study investigated the expression and distributions of 4.1G in rodent sciatic nerve. Northern and Western blot analysis detected abundant 4.1G mRNA and protein in rat sciatic nerve extracts. Immunohistochemical staining with a 4.1G‐specific antibody and double immunolabeling with E‐cadherin, βIV spectrin, and connexin 32 detected 4.1G in paranodal loops, Schmidt‐Lanterman incisures, and periaxonal, mesaxonal, and abaxonal membranes of rodent sciatic nerve. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the immunodistribution of 4.1G in Schwann cells. In developing mouse sciatic nerves, 4.1G was diffusely distributed in immature Schwann cells and gradually localized at paranodes, incisures, and periaxonal and mesaxonal membranes during their maturation. These data support the concept that 4.1G plays an important role in the membrane expansion and specialization that occurs during formation and maintenance of myelin internodes in the peripheral nervous system. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.