| Research Abstract |
Calcium dependent cell adhesion molecule, E-cadherin, plays important roles in fasciculation of a particular subset of sensory fibers, axon-Schwann cell contact and myelination after axotomy. The present study was performed to examine the expressions and localizations of E-cadherin, alpha and BETA -catenins, and actin in mouse neural tissues by immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses, to elucidate roles of cadherin-catenin complex in establishment and maintenance of nervous system. In immunoblot analysis, E-cadherin was expressed in trigeminal nerves, spinal cords, dorsal roots, DRG, and sciatic nerves. alpha N-catenin was expressed in cerebral cortex, cerebellum, brain stem, spinal cord, and DRG.alpha E-catenin, beta -catenin and actin were expressed in all tissues that were examined. Immunoprecipitation using anti-E-cadherin antibody resulted that alpha E-catenin formed complex with E-cadherin in trigeminal nerve, DRG, and sciatic nerve, but not in spinal cord. E-cadherin- alpha
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N-catenin complex was not detected. In immunohistochemistry, E-cadherin was expressed in the dorsal and ventral root and the lamina II of the spinal cord, satellite cells and small sized neuronal cell bodies of DRG, subpopulation of unmyelinated fibers, and Schwann cells. alpha E-catenin was expressed in some of neurons, ependymal cells of central canal in spinal cord, satellite cells, some neuronal cell bodies, and Schwann cells. a N-catenin was diffusely expressed in gray matter in the spinal cord with enhanced immunoreactivity in lamina II and central canal. Satellite cells and some neuronal cell bodies were also positive. Furthermore, administration of NGF rescued the immunoreactivity of substance-P in lamina II, which is known to disappear after peripheral axotomy, but not influence that of both E-cadherin or alpha N-catenin. These results suggested that cadherin-catenin complexes regulate cell contact in various manner. Furthermore, alpha E-catenin form complex with E-cadherin in DRG, trigeminal nerves, and sciatic nerves, which plays a role in glial contact in peripheral nerves, including Schwann cells and satellite cells. Less
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