title: Sensory neurons from N-syndecan-deficient mice are defective in survival.
abstract: Extracellular matrix is a crucial regulator of development, plasticity and regeneration in the nervous system. We have now found that N-syndecan, the receptor for the extracellular matrix component heparin-binding growth-associated molecule, is required for survival of primary sensory neurons. We demonstrate massive cell death of cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from mice deficient in the N-syndecan gene as compared with wild-type controls. Importantly, this cell death could not be prevented by nerve growth factor - the neurotrophin, which activates multiple antiapoptotic cascades in DRG neurons. The survival deficiency was observed during first postnatal week. In contrast, DRG neurons from young adult N-syndecan knockout mice exhibited normal survival. This study identifies a completely new syndecan-dependent type of signaling that regulates cell death in neurons.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology, PO Box 56, Viikki Biocenter, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FIN-00014, Finland. Mikhail.Paveliev@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paveliev
authors.forename: Anni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hienola
authors.forename: Eija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jokitalo
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Planken
authors.forename: Maxim M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bespalov
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rauvala
authors.forename: Mart
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saarma