Axonal signals and oligodendrocyte differentiation.
Axons produce signals that regulate oligodendrocyte proliferation, survival, terminal differentiation, and myelinogenesis. We review here recent in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches that aim to characterize axonal signals to oligodendroglia and to identify molecular mediators that regulate differentiation of oligodendendrocytes. We propose that the promoters of myelin genes, whose activation during terminal differentiation is modulated by axonal signals, can provide a means to identify molecular mediators of axo-oligodendroglial signals.
Bozzali
Maura
M
San Raffaele Scientific Institute, DIBIT, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Wrabetz
Lawrence
L
D000241:Adenosine / Q000502:physiology; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D016023:Integrins / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000235:genetics; D020880:Neuregulins / Q000502:physiology; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D051880:Receptors, Notch
D016023:Integrins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020880:Neuregulins; D015221:Potassium Channels; D051880:Receptors, Notch; D000241:Adenosine