title: Contactin1a expression is associated with oligodendrocyte differentiation and axonal regeneration in the central nervous system of zebrafish.
abstract: Contactin1a (Cntn1a) is a zebrafish homolog of contactin1 (F3/F11/contactin) in mammals, an immunoglobulin superfamily recognition molecule of neurons and oligodendrocytes. We describe conspicuous Cntn1a mRNA expression in oligodendrocytes in the developing optic pathway of zebrafish. In adults, this expression is only retained in glial cells in the intraretinal optic fiber layer, which contains 'loose' myelin. After optic nerve lesion, oligodendrocytes re-express Cntn1a mRNA independently of the presence of regenerating axons and retinal ganglion cells upregulate Cntn1a expression to levels that are significantly higher than those during development. After spinal cord lesion, expression of Cntn1a mRNA is similarly increased in axotomized brainstem neurons and white matter glial cells in the spinal cord. In addition, reduced mRNA expression in the trigeminal/anterior lateral line ganglion in erbb3-deficient mutant larvae implies Cntn1a in Schwann cell differentiation. These complex regulation patterns suggest roles for Cntn1a in myelinating cells and neurons particularly in successful CNS regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Institut für die Biosynthese Neuraler Strukturen, Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie, University of Hamburg, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gimnopoulos
authors.forename: Bettina C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Lieberoth
authors.forename: Hans-Martin
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Pogoda
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feldner
authors.forename: Anselm
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.forename: Melitta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schachner
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Catherina G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D058967:Contactin 1; D058966:Contactins; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D015353:Eye Enucleation / Q000379:methods; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods; D018993:Myelin P0 Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020221:Optic Nerve Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3 / Q000235:genetics; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015027:Zebrafish; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
chemical_list: D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D058967:Contactin 1; D058966:Contactins; D018993:Myelin P0 Protein; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C548672:cntn1a protein, zebrafish; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3