title: Neurofilament and tubulin mRNA expression in Schwann cells.
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 beta-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 beta-tubulin (the major neuronal beta-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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Roberson
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Toews
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Goodrum
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000502:physiology; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013691:Tellurium / Q000494:pharmacology; D014404:Tubulin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014404:Tubulin; D013691:Tellurium