title: The neurite growth promoting protease nexin 1 in glial cells of the olfactory bulb of the gerbil: an ultrastructural study.
abstract: The glia-derived serine protease inhibitor and neurite outgrowth promoter protease nexin-1 (PN-1) is expressed in Schwann cell precursors and astroblasts during embryogenesis. In the adult nervous system, PN-1 persists in the Schwann cells and olfactory glia only. Light-microscopic immunohistochemistry has revealed the presence of PN-1 in the olfactory mucosa and in the nerve fiber layer of the olfactory bulb. The present electron-microscopic study of the gerbil olfactory bulb confirms the occurrence of PN-1 in ensheathing cells of the olfactory nerve fiber layer, a special type of glia which envelopes olfactory axons. In addition, PN-1 is contained in typical astrocytes of the nerve fiber layer and of the glomerular layer. It is inferred that synthesis of PN-1 in the olfactory bulbs is maintained throughout adulthood because its neurite outgrowth promoting action is required for the continuous renewal of olfactory receptor neurons.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Scotti
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nitsch
mesh_terms: D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016501:Neurites / Q000737:chemistry*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D058255:Protease Nexins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013917:Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D058255:Protease Nexins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013917:Thrombin