Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Laminins are the Adhesive Proteins of Basal Lamina

Laminins are the Adhesive Proteins of Basal Lamina

Laminins are heterotrimeric proteins with high molecular mass found in the extracellular matrix. Each laminin molecule is composed of three chains, viz. alpha, beta, and gamma, coded by five, four, and three paralogous genes, respectively. Laminins are categories based on the compositions of the three chains.
In humans, the five forms of alpha chains are LAMA 1, LAMA 2, LAMA 3, LAMA 4, and LAMA 5. The four forms of beta chains are LAMB 1, LAMB 2, LAMB 3, and LAMB 4. The three forms of gamma...

Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

Nervous Tissue: Myelin

The myelin sheath is a multilayered lipid and protein covering that insulates the axon of a neuron, enhancing the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Axons without this sheath are referred to as unmyelinated. Two types of neuroglia, Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) are responsible for producing myelin sheaths.
Schwann cells begin to form myelin sheaths around axons during fetal development. They wrap around a small...

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...

Basal Lamina are the Specialized Form of ECM

Basal Lamina are the Specialized Form of ECM

The basal lamina is a thin extracellular layer that lies underneath the cells and separates them from other tissues. The three layers of the basal lamina are lamina lucida, lamina densa and lamina reticularis. The basal lamina, a mixture of glycoproteins and collagen, provides an attachment site for the epithelium, separating it from underlying connective tissue. The framework of basal lamina has other essential proteins such as laminins mesh, perlecan, entactin, and type IV collagen.
Proteins...

Neurulation

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

[The research progress and outlook on the effects of different exercise modalities on working memory function in middle-aged and elderly individuals].

Sheng li xue bao : [Acta physiologica Sinica]·2026

Same author

Global impact through train-the-trainer (TtT) courses.

Journal of microscopy·2026

Same author

A role for core facilities in improving research rigour.

Journal of microscopy·2026

Same author

Beyond Fibrinolysis: Urokinase Plasminogen Activator as an Early Regulator of Obesity.

Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology·2026

Same author

An antibody targeting high-molecular-weight kininogen blocks contact system activation in a model of polymicrobial sepsis.

Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH·2025

Same author

Combinatorial transcriptional regulation establishes subtype-appropriate synaptic properties in auditory neurons.

Cell reports·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Preparation of Tunable Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments to Evaluate Schwann Cell Phenotype Specification

Preparation of Tunable Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments to Evaluate Schwann Cell Phenotype Specification

Published on: June 2, 2020

Laminin is required for Schwann cell morphogenesis.

Wei-Ming Yu¹, Zu-Lin Chen, Alison J North

¹Laboratory of Neurobiology and Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.

Journal of Cell Science

|March 20, 2009

Summary

Laminins are crucial for Schwann cells (SCs) to develop their shape and extend processes during peripheral nervous system development. This study reveals laminin signaling coordinates SC proliferation and morphogenesis for axonal sorting.

More Related Videos

Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells

Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells

Published on: September 28, 2020

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons

Published on: November 21, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Preparation of Tunable Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments to Evaluate Schwann Cell Phenotype Specification

Preparation of Tunable Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments to Evaluate Schwann Cell Phenotype Specification

Published on: June 2, 2020

Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells

Generating a Fractal Microstructure of Laminin-111 to Signal to Cells

Published on: September 28, 2020

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons

Published on: November 21, 2012

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

Peripheral nervous system development involves Schwann cells (SCs) sorting axons.
SC proliferation and morphogenesis are essential for axonal sorting.
Laminin is known to be vital for SC proliferation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of laminins in Schwann cell (SC) morphogenesis.
To explore the underlying signaling pathways involved in laminin-mediated SC development.

Main Methods:

Utilized novel time-lapse live-cell imaging to observe SCs.
Analyzed signaling pathways including Schwannomin phosphorylation and Rho GTPase activation (Cdc42, Rac1).
Investigated the effects of inhibiting or activating Rac1 and Cdc42 in vitro and in vivo.

Main Results:

Laminins are required for SCs to adopt a bipolar shape and extend processes.
Laminin deficiency decreased Schwannomin phosphorylation and Cdc42/Rac1 activation.
Modulating Rac1/Cdc42 activity affected SC myelination and axonal sorting.

Conclusions:

Laminins play a critical role in regulating Schwann cell (SC) cytoskeletal signaling.
Laminin signaling is a central regulator coordinating SC proliferation and morphogenesis.
This coordination is essential for effective radial axonal sorting in the peripheral nervous system.