JAM-A is a novel surface marker for NG2-Glia in the adult mouse brain.
BACKGROUND
Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is an adhesive protein expressed in various cell types. JAM-A localizes to the tight junctions between contacting endothelial and epithelial cells, where it contributes to cell-cell adhesion and to the control of paracellular permeability.


RESULTS
So far, the expression pattern of JAM-A has not been described in detail for the different cell types of the adult brain. Here we show that a subset of proliferating cells in the adult mouse brain express JAM-A. We further clarify that these cells belong to the lineage of NG2-glia cells. Although these mitotic NG2-glia cells express JAM-A, the protein never shows a polarized subcellular distribution. Also non-mitotic NG2-glia cells express JAM-A in a non-polarized pattern on their surface.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that JAM-A is a novel surface marker for NG2-glia cells of the adult brain.
Stelzer
Sandra
S
Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, ZMBE, Institute for Cell Biology, Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration Group, Von-Esmarch-Str, 56, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Ebnet
Klaus
K
Schwamborn
Jens C
JC
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D051379:Mice; D008938:Mitosis; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D055153:Stem Cell Niche / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000099216:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4
D000941:Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D000099216:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4; C498686:F11r protein, mouse