Biomaterial Database

Multiple connexin expression in peripheral nerve, Schwann cells, and Schwannoma cells. 1999

E T Mambetisaeva, and V Gire, and W H Evans

Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.

Myelinating Schwann cells express the gap junction protein, connexin (Cx)32, which is present at the nodes of Ranvier and Schmidt-Lantermann incisures (Bergoffen et al. [1993] Science (Wash. ) 262:2039-2042). Following peripheral nerve injury, other members of the connexin gene family are also expressed (Chandross et al. [1996a] Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 7:501-518). This study surveys the connexin(s) expressed by rat sciatic nerve, cultured Schwann cells, and a mouse Schwannoma (TR6 Bc1) cell line. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification revealed a constitutive expression of mRNA encoding Cx32 and 43 but not Cx26, 37, 40, 45, and 46 in sciatic nerve. Mitogenic stimulation of cultured Schwann cells expressing Cx32 also resulted in the appearance of Cx43 mRNA. Schwannoma cells expressed exclusively Cx43 mRNA. These results were confirmed by Northern blot analysis. Functional gap junctions in cultured Schwann and Schwannoma cells were shown by analysis of the intercellular transfer of Lucifer yellow, although the coupling between primary Schwann cells was weak or undetectable. Treatment of primary Schwann cells with mitogens resulted in extensive dye coupling. An immunohistochemical study of adult sciatic nerve sections demonstrated Cx32 immunoreactivity at the nodes of Ranvier and in Schwann cell bodies. Lower intensity staining of Cx43 along the myelin sheath and Schwann cell bodies was also observed. Indirect immunofluorescent studies of Schwann cells treated with mitogens showed characteristic punctate cell surface staining of Cx43; Cx32 staining was detected mainly intracellularly. These results lead to the conclusion that in addition to the expression of Cx32 by normal adult sciatic nerve, low amounts of Cx43 protein are also present. The implications of the expression of two connexins by Schwann cells in Charcot-Marie-Tooth X-linked disease, a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007546	Isoquinolines	A group of compounds with the heterocyclic ring structure of benzo(c)pyridine. The ring structure is characteristic of the group of opium alkaloids such as papaverine. (From Stedman, 25th ed)
D009442	Neurilemmoma	A neoplasm that arises from SCHWANN CELLS of the cranial, peripheral, and autonomic nerves. Clinically, these tumors may present as a cranial neuropathy, abdominal or soft tissue mass, intracranial lesion, or with spinal cord compression. Histologically, these tumors are encapsulated, highly vascular, and composed of a homogenous pattern of biphasic fusiform-shaped cells that may have a palisaded appearance. (From DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology, 5th ed, pp964-5)	Neurinoma,Schwannoma,Schwannomatosis, Plexiform,Neurilemoma,Neurilemmomas,Neurilemomas,Neurinomas,Plexiform Schwannomatoses,Plexiform Schwannomatosis,Schwannomas
D010907	Pituitary Hormones	Hormones secreted by the PITUITARY GLAND including those from the anterior lobe (adenohypophysis), the posterior lobe (neurohypophysis), and the ill-defined intermediate lobe. Structurally, they include small peptides, proteins, and glycoproteins. They are under the regulation of neural signals (NEUROTRANSMITTERS) or neuroendocrine signals (HYPOTHALAMIC HORMONES) from the hypothalamus as well as feedback from their targets such as ADRENAL CORTEX HORMONES; ANDROGENS; ESTROGENS.	Hormones, Pituitary
D011817	Rabbits	A burrowing plant-eating mammal with hind limbs that are longer than its fore limbs. It belongs to the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, and in contrast to hares, possesses 22 instead of 24 pairs of chromosomes.	Belgian Hare,New Zealand Rabbit,New Zealand Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit, Domestic,Chinchilla Rabbits,NZW Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbits,Oryctolagus cuniculus,Chinchilla Rabbit,Domestic Rabbit,Domestic Rabbits,Hare, Belgian,NZW Rabbit,Rabbit, Chinchilla,Rabbit, NZW,Rabbit, New Zealand,Rabbits, Chinchilla,Rabbits, Domestic,Rabbits, NZW,Rabbits, New Zealand,Zealand Rabbit, New,Zealand Rabbits, New,cuniculus, Oryctolagus
D002450	Cell Communication	Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP.	Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D005456	Fluorescent Dyes	Chemicals that emit light after excitation by light. The wave length of the emitted light is usually longer than that of the incident light. Fluorochromes are substances that cause fluorescence in other substances, i.e., dyes used to mark or label other compounds with fluorescent tags.	Flourescent Agent,Fluorescent Dye,Fluorescent Probe,Fluorescent Probes,Fluorochrome,Fluorochromes,Fluorogenic Substrates,Fluorescence Agents,Fluorescent Agents,Fluorogenic Substrate,Agents, Fluorescence,Agents, Fluorescent,Dyes, Fluorescent,Probes, Fluorescent,Substrates, Fluorogenic
D005576	Colforsin	Potent activator of the adenylate cyclase system and the biosynthesis of cyclic AMP. From the plant COLEUS FORSKOHLII. Has antihypertensive, positive inotropic, platelet aggregation inhibitory, and smooth muscle relaxant activities; also lowers intraocular pressure and promotes release of hormones from the pituitary gland.	Coleonol,Forskolin,N,N-Dimethyl-beta-alanine-5-(acetyloxy)-3-ethenyldodecahydro-10,10b-dihydroxy-3,4a,7,7,10a-pentamethyl-1-oxo-1H-naphtho(2,1-b)pyran-6-yl Ester HCl,NKH 477,NKH-477,NKH477
D000097002	Gap Junction beta-1 Protein	A GAP JUNCTION beta subunit containing four transmembrane domains expressed in myelinating SCHWANN CELLS and is localized to peripheral MYELIN (e.g., noncompact myelin in the paranode and Schmitt-Lanterman incisures). Mutations in the human gene GJB1 are associated with X-linked CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH DISEASE type 1 (CMT1X).	Connexin 32,Connexin 32 Protein,Cx32 Protein,GJB1 Protein,Gap Junction B1,Gap Junction beta1 Protein,Gap Junction beta 1 Protein,Protein, Connexin 32,Protein, Cx32,Protein, GJB1
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000906	Antibodies	Immunoglobulin molecules having a specific amino acid sequence by virtue of which they interact only with the ANTIGEN (or a very similar shape) that induced their synthesis in cells of the lymphoid series (especially PLASMA CELLS).