Growth-associated protein 43 is down-regulated in cultured astrocytes.
Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43: other designations--pp46, F1, B-50, p-57) is an abundant, neural, membrane-associated protein involved in synaptic plasticity and regeneration. We recently reported that GAP-43 is present in plasma membranes of cultured rat astrocytes. In the present study the level of astrocytic GAP-43 was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence labeling of cells with a specific anti-GAP-43 serum and immunoblotting of plasma membrane proteins. The results indicate that all astrocytes from 1-day-old cortex contained GAP-43 and those differentiated in culture did not. Furthermore, GAP-43 decreased dramatically during 3 weeks in culture. These results are consistent with the developmental down-regulation of GAP-43 in vivo.
Vitković
L
L
Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Mersel
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins