Abstract
Nectin-like 1 (Necl-1) is a neural-specific cell adhesion molecule that is expressed in both the CNS and PNS. Previous in vitro studies suggested that Necl-1 expression is essential for the axon-glial interaction and myelin sheath formation in the PNS. To investigate the in vivo role of Necl-1 in axonal myelination of the developing nervous system, we generated the Necl-1 mutant mice by replacing axons 2-5 with the LacZ reporter gene. Expression studies revealed that Necl-1 is exclusively expressed by neurons in the CNS. Disruption of Necl-1 resulted in developmental delay of axonal myelination in the optic nerve and spinal cord, suggesting that Necl-1 plays an important role in the initial axon-oligodendrocyte recognition and adhesion in CNS myelination.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Axons / metabolism*
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Axons / ultrastructure
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Cell Adhesion / physiology
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Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Cell Communication / physiology
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Central Nervous System / embryology*
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Central Nervous System / metabolism*
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Central Nervous System / ultrastructure
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / genetics
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Gene Targeting / methods
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Genes, Reporter / genetics
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Immunoglobulins / genetics
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Immunoglobulins / physiology*
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / physiology*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Mice, Transgenic
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Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
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Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / metabolism*
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Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / ultrastructure
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Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics
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Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / physiology*
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Neurogenesis / genetics*
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Oligodendroglia / physiology
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Optic Nerve / embryology
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Optic Nerve / metabolism
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Optic Nerve / ultrastructure
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Spinal Cord / cytology
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Spinal Cord / embryology
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Spinal Cord / metabolism
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Time Factors
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Transplantation Chimera
Substances
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Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Igsf4b protein, mouse
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Immunoglobulins
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Membrane Proteins
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Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules