Modification of representational difference analysis applied to the isolation of forskolin-regulated genes from Schwann cells

Many aspects of the response of Schwann cells to axonal cues can be induced in vitro by the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin, yet the role of cAMP signaling in regulating Schwann cell differentiation remains unclear. To define better the relationship between cAMP signaling and Schwann cell differentiation, we used a modification of cDNA representational difference analysis (RDA) that permits the analysis of small amounts of mRNA and identified additional genes that are differentially expressed by forskolin-treated and untreated Schwann cells. The genes that we have identified, including MKP3, a regulator of ERK signaling, and the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor edg3/lp(B3), may play important roles in mediating Schwann cell differentiation.