GAP-43 expression in macroglial cells: potential functional significance.
Although growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) was initially considered to be neuron-specific, it has more recently been found in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells, glial cell equivalents in embryonic Drosophila and other non-neuronal cells. Here I summarize evidence for the presence of GAP-43 in macroglial cells (i.e., astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) cultured from neonatal rat cortex and describe its developmental expression in a lineage-specific and cell-type-specific manner. These and other data suggest that GAP-43 is a multifunctional protein involved in the synthesis of membranes associated with the growth of various types of cellular processes, including those of macroglial cells.
Vitkovic
L
L
National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, MD 20857.
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008322:Mammals / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins