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.
National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, MD 20857.
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Vitkovic
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