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Alpha-protocadherins are presynaptic and axonal in nicotinic pathways.
- Source :
-
Molecular and cellular neurosciences [Mol Cell Neurosci] 2004 Aug; Vol. 26 (4), pp. 530-43. - Publication Year :
- 2004
-
Abstract
- The protocadherin families pcdh-alpha, beta, and gamma have been proposed to mediate synaptic specificity via homophilic interactions. Here we report isolation of two pcdh-alpha family members from chick. We find pcdh-alpha mRNA in multiple regions of chick CNS including cerebellum, tectum, olfactory bulb, and forebrain, and in the autonomic nervous system. Immunoblots identify major components of 120 and 140 kDa both in brain and ciliary ganglion extracts. Immunohistochemistry reveals pcdh-alphas in axons and perisynaptically in preganglionic terminals, adjacent to transmitter release sites. Pcdh-alphas appear to be absent from postsynaptic sites: They are nonoverlapping with postsynaptic receptor clusters in the ganglion and are rapidly lost after ganglionic denervation. Similar pcdh-alpha patterns are found in motor axons and at neuromuscular junctions of birds and mammals, and persist into adulthood. The results indicate that pcdh-alphas are widely expressed in nicotinic cholinergic pathways and may engage in heterophilic interactions at synapses and on axons.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Axons ultrastructure
Brain cytology
Brain embryology
Brain metabolism
Cadherins genetics
Cadherins isolation & purification
Cell Line
Chick Embryo
Cholinergic Fibers ultrastructure
DNA, Complementary analysis
DNA, Complementary genetics
Ganglia, Parasympathetic cytology
Ganglia, Parasympathetic embryology
Ganglia, Parasympathetic metabolism
Humans
Molecular Sequence Data
Molecular Weight
Neural Pathways cytology
Neural Pathways embryology
Presynaptic Terminals ultrastructure
Protein Isoforms genetics
Protein Isoforms isolation & purification
Protein Isoforms metabolism
RNA, Messenger metabolism
Rats
Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
Synaptic Transmission genetics
Axons metabolism
Cadherins metabolism
Cholinergic Fibers metabolism
Neural Pathways metabolism
Presynaptic Terminals metabolism
Receptors, Nicotinic metabolism
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1044-7431
- Volume :
- 26
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Molecular and cellular neurosciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 15276155
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcn.2004.04.008