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Neurofilament and tubulin mRNA expression in schwann cells
Author(s) -
Roberson M. D.,
Toews A. D.,
Goodrum J. F.,
Morell P.
Publication year - 1992
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.490330120
Subject(s) - neurofilament , tubulin , schwann cell , microbiology and biotechnology , messenger rna , biology , chemistry , neuroscience , microtubule , biochemistry , immunology , immunohistochemistry , gene
Abstract Feeding of elemental tellurium to weanling rats blocks synthesis of cholesterol (a major component of myelin), and causes demyelination of the sciatic nerve. Expression of mRNA for myelin‐specific genes in Schwann cells is downregulated. We now demonstrate specificity for Schwann cell injury in that expression of mRNAs for neurofilament subunits and for class II β‐tubulin (parameters sensitive to axonal injury) is unaltered in neurons of the dorsal root ganglia. An unexpected result was that in tellurium‐treated rats there was marked upregulation of expression of mRNAs coding for the light and medium neurofilament subunits (“neuron‐specific” proteins) as well as that for class II β‐tubulin (the major neuronal β‐tubulin isotype) in Schwann cells. Expression of these “neuronal” mRNA species was also detected in distal stumps of transected nerves at times when Schwann cells were undergoing dedifferentiation. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.