Contactin1a expression is associated with oligodendrocyte differentiation and axonal regeneration in the central nervous system of zebrafish

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jörn Schweitzer - , University of Hamburg, University of Freiburg (Author)
  • Dimitrios Gimnopoulos - , University of Hamburg (Author)
  • Bettina C. Lieberoth - , University of Hamburg (Author)
  • Hans Martin Pogoda - , Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics (Author)
  • Julia Feldner - , University of Hamburg (Author)
  • Anselm Ebert - , University of Hamburg, University of Edinburgh (Author)
  • Melitta Schachner - , University of Hamburg (Author)
  • Thomas Becker - , University of Hamburg, University of Edinburgh (Author)
  • Catherina G. Becker - , University of Hamburg, University of Edinburgh (Author)

Abstract

Contactin1a (Cntn1a) is a zebrafish homolog of contactin1 (F3/F11/contactin) in mammals, an immunoglobulin superfamily recognition molecule of neurons and oligodendrocytes. We describe conspicuous Cntn1a mRNA expression in oligodendrocytes in the developing optic pathway of zebrafish. In adults, this expression is only retained in glial cells in the intraretinal optic fiber layer, which contains 'loose' myelin. After optic nerve lesion, oligodendrocytes re-express Cntn1a mRNA independently of the presence of regenerating axons and retinal ganglion cells upregulate Cntn1a expression to levels that are significantly higher than those during development. After spinal cord lesion, expression of Cntn1a mRNA is similarly increased in axotomized brainstem neurons and white matter glial cells in the spinal cord. In addition, reduced mRNA expression in the trigeminal/anterior lateral line ganglion in erbb3-deficient mutant larvae implies Cntn1a in Schwann cell differentiation. These complex regulation patterns suggest roles for Cntn1a in myelinating cells and neurons particularly in successful CNS regeneration.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)194-207
Number of pages14
JournalMolecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Volume35
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2007
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 17425960

Keywords

Keywords

  • Development, DMalpha2, erbb3, Immunoglobulin superfamily, Oligodendrocytes, Protein zero, Regeneration, Schwann cells

Library keywords