A novel marker for terminal Schwann cells, homocysteine-responsive ER-resident protein, as isolated by a single cell PCR-differential display.
Terminal Schwann cells (TSCs) that cover motor neuron terminals are known to play important roles in maintaining neuromuscular junctions, as well as in the repair process after nerve injury. However, molecular characteristics of TSCs remain unknown, because of the difficulties in analyzing them due to their paucity. We have established a method of selectively and efficiently collecting TSCs so that cDNA analysis can be done properly. The expression of 1-2% of whole mRNAs was compared between myelinating Schwann cells (MSCs) and TSCs, and it turned out that approximately one-third of the bands could be categorized as cell-type-specific bands. TSCs thus constitute a distinct entity from the viewpoint of gene expression. As one of the cDNA clones belonging to TSC-specific bands was identified homocysteine-responsive ER-resident protein (Herp), and in situ hybridization confirmed that Herp mRNA is expressed in TSCs on motor nerve terminals but not in MSCs, both in developing and adult rats. In conclusion, we have been able to identify Herp as a novel molecular marker for TSCs.
Oda
Ryo
R
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Science, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
Yaoi
Takeshi
T
Okajima
Seiichiro
S
Kobashi
Hiroaki
H
Kubo
Toshikazu
T
Fushiki
Shinji
S
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D005819:Genetic Markers; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012313:RNA