Incorporation of fucose and leucine into PNS myelin proteins in nerves undergoing early Wallerian degeneration.
The simultaneous incorporation of [3H]fucose and [1-14C]leucine into normal rat sciatic nerve was examined using an in vitro incubation model. A linear rate of protein precursor uptake was found in purified myelin protein over 1/2-6 hr of incubation utilizing a supplemented medium containing amino acids. This model was then used to examine myelin protein synthesis in nerves undergoing degeneration at 1-4 days following a crush injury. Data showed a statistically significant decrease in the ratio of fucose to leucine at 2, 3, and 4 days of degeneration, which was the consequence of a significant increase in leucine uptake. These results, plus substantial protein recovery in axotomized nerves, are indicative of active synthesis of proteins that purify with myelin during early Wallerian degeneration.
D000818:Animals; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005643:Fucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D007930:Leucine / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D051381:Rats; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000378:metabolism*; D014316:Tritium; D014855:Wallerian Degeneration
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D014316:Tritium; D005643:Fucose; D007930:Leucine