Differential clustering of Caspr by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells

J Neurosci Res. 2009 Nov 15;87(15):3492-501. doi: 10.1002/jnr.22157.

Abstract

Formation of the paranodal axoglial junction (PNJ) requires the presence of three cell adhesion molecules: the 155-kDa isoform of neurofascin (NF155) on the glial membrane and a complex of Caspr and contactin found on the axolemma. Here we report that the clustering of Caspr along myelinated axons during development differs fundamentally between the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems. In cultures of Schwann cells (SC) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, membrane accumulation of Caspr was detected only after myelination. In contrast, in oligodendrocytes (OL)/DRG neurons cocultures, Caspr was clustered upon initial glial cell contact already before myelination had begun. Premyelination clustering of Caspr was detected in cultures of oligodendrocytes and retinal ganglion cells, motor neurons, and DRG neurons as well as in mixed cell cultures of rat forebrain and spinal cords. Cocultures of oligodendrocyte precursor cells isolated from contactin- or neurofascin-deficient mice with wild-type DRG neurons showed that clustering of Caspr at initial contact sites between OL processes and the axon requires glial expression of NF155 but not of contactin. These results demonstrate that the expression of membrane proteins along the axolemma is determined by the type of the contacting glial cells and is not an intrinsic characteristic of the axon.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / ultrastructure
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Ganglia, Spinal / cytology
  • Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism*
  • Intercellular Junctions / metabolism
  • Intercellular Junctions / ultrastructure
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism
  • Motor Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism
  • Myelin Sheath / ultrastructure
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / metabolism
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / ultrastructure
  • Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Nerve Growth Factors / ultrastructure
  • Oligodendroglia / cytology
  • Oligodendroglia / metabolism*
  • Prosencephalon / metabolism
  • Prosencephalon / ultrastructure
  • Ranvier's Nodes / metabolism
  • Ranvier's Nodes / ultrastructure
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / cytology
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells / metabolism
  • Schwann Cells / cytology
  • Schwann Cells / metabolism*
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / cytology
  • Sensory Receptor Cells / metabolism*
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism
  • Spinal Cord / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Cntnap1 protein, mouse
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Nfasc protein, mouse