Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons
09:46

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons

Published on: November 21, 2012

12.0K

Anchors Away: Glia-Neuron Adhesion Regulates Myelin Targeting and Growth

Miguel A Garcia1, J Bradley Zuchero1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.

Developmental Cell
|January 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The adhesion protein Neurofascin is crucial for oligodendrocyte function in the central nervous system (CNS). This protein guides both the selection of appropriate axonal targets and the subsequent growth of myelin sheaths.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Myelination is a critical process in the central nervous system (CNS) for proper neuronal function.
  • Oligodendrocytes are the myelin-producing cells in the CNS, responsible for ensheathing axons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the adhesion protein Neurofascin in oligodendrocyte development.
  • To determine Neurofascin's function in axonal target selection and myelin growth.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized genetic models and cellular assays to study Neurofascin function in oligodendrocytes.
  • Observed oligodendrocyte-axon interactions and myelin formation.

Main Results:

  • Neurofascin is essential for oligodendrocytes to correctly identify and bind to their target axons.
  • The adhesion protein Neurofascin plays a vital role in the process of myelin extension along axons.

Conclusions:

  • Neurofascin is a key regulator of multiple stages of CNS myelination.
  • Targeting Neurofascin in oligodendrocytes offers potential therapeutic strategies for demyelinating diseases.

More Related Videos

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures09:41

Preparation and Immunostaining of Myelinating Organotypic Cerebellar Slice Cultures

Published on: March 20, 2019

11.6K
Analysis of Schwann-astrocyte Interactions Using In Vitro Assays10:17

Analysis of Schwann-astrocyte Interactions Using In Vitro Assays

Published on: January 13, 2011

12.5K

Related Concept Videos

Nervous Tissue: Myelin01:25

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...
5.0K
Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells01:31

Nervous Tissue: Glial Cells

Glia, or neuroglia, are vital support cells that assist neurons in their functions. The term "glia" originates from the Greek word for "glue," reflecting their role in holding the nervous system together. These cells can be categorized into six types: four in the central nervous system (CNS) and two in the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS glial cell includes the astrocytes, the oligodendrocytes, the microglia, and the ependymal cells.
Astrocytes are star-shaped glial...
6.3K
Glial Cells01:04

Glial Cells

Overview
92.8K
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
4.1K
Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
1.5K
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
3.4K