title: Rab27a/Slp2-a complex is involved in Schwann cell myelination.
abstract: Myelination of Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system is an intricate process involving myelin protein trafficking. Recently, the role and mechanism of the endosomal/lysosomal system in myelin formation were emphasized. Our previous results demonstrated that a small GTPase Rab27a regulates lysosomal exocytosis and myelin protein trafficking in Schwann cells. In this present study, we established a dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron and Schwann cell co-culture model to identify the signals associated with Rab27a during myelination. First, Slp2-a, as the Rab27a effector, was endogenously expressed in Schwann cells. Second, Rab27a expression significantly increased during Schwann cell myelination. Finally, Rab27a and Slp2-a silencing in Schwann cells not only reduced myelin protein expression, but also impaired formation of myelin-like membranes in DRG neuron and Schwann cell co-cultures. Our findings suggest that the Rab27a/Slp2-a complex affects Schwann cell myelinationin vitro.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Feng
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Zhong-Ya
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Yun-Tian
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Zi-Han
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China; Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Song
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3669-5687
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: Rab27 effectors; Rab27a; Schwann cells; Slp2-a; co-culture; dorsal root ganglion neurons; myelin proteins; myelination; nerve regeneration; neural regeneration