GSBS Student Publications
Title
Asymmetric ERM activation at the Schwann cell process tip is required in axon-associated motility
GSBS Program
Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology
Publication Date
2006-10-25
UMMS Affiliation
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Department of Cell Biology
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
Axon-associated Schwann cell (SC) motility and process dynamics are crucial in the development and regeneration of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The bipolar morphology of SCs represents an unexplored conundrum in terms of directed motility. Using fluorescence time-lapse microscopy of transfected SCs within myelinating dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants, we demonstrate cycling of SCs between bipolar and highly motile, unipolar morphologies as a result of asymmetric process retraction and extension. Unipolar SC motility appears nucleotaxic in nature, similar to the movement of neurons on radial glia during cortical development. We also show that asymmetric process retraction is associated with the activation of ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin) proteins and subsequent recruitment of ezrin-binding phospho-protein 50 kDa (EBP50) at the retracting process tip. This activation occurs in response to localized synthesis of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2) at this site. Finally, we demonstrate that the activation of ERM proteins at the SC process tip is essential for motility and the maintenance of SC polarity, as ERM disruption yields a dysfunctional, multi-polar cell. These results demonstrate that specializations at the tips of SC processes regulate their dynamics, which in turn is associated with directed motility in these cells.
DOI of Published Version
10.1002/jcp.20844
Source
J Cell Physiol. 2007 Jan;210(1):122-32. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Journal of cellular physiology
Related Resources
PubMed ID
17061246
Repository Citation
Gatto, Cheryl Lynn; Walker, Barbara J.; and Lambert, Stephen, "Asymmetric ERM activation at the Schwann cell process tip is required in axon-associated motility" (2006). GSBS Student Publications. 510.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/gsbs_sp/510