title: A role for the MAPK/ERK pathway in oligodendroglial differentiation in vitro: stage specific effects on cell branching.
abstract: The mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway is important for both long-term survival and timing of the progression of oligodendrocyte differentiation. Oligodendroglial cells treated with MEK inhibitor were distinguished by using stage specific markers: NG2 proteoglycan, A2B5, 2'3'nucleotide-cyclic 3'phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and myelin basic protein (MBP), and classified according to their morphology into different developmental stages. Treatment significantly increased the number of cells with more immature morphologies and decreased the number of mature cells. Furthermore, it increased the number of rounded cells that could not be classified into any of the oligodendroglial developmental stages. The strongest effects were usually observed shortly after treatment. Rounded cells were CNPase/MBP positive and they were not stained by anti-NG2 or A2B5, indicating that they were mature cells unable either to extend and/or to maintain their processes. These data showed an effect of the MAPK/ERK pathway on oligodendroglial branching, with possible consequences for the formation of the myelin sheath.
authors.affiliation: Depto. Farmacologia e Psicobiologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, UERJ, 20551-030, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Younes-Rapozo
authors.forename: L O R
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Felgueiras
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Viana
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Fierro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barja-Fidalgo
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Manhães
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Barradas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases