Specific disruption of a schwann cell dystrophin-related protein complex in a demyelinating neuropathy

Neuron. 2001 Jun;30(3):677-87. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00327-0.

Abstract

Dystroglycan-dystrophin complexes are believed to have structural and signaling functions by linking extracellular matrix proteins to the cytoskeleton and cortical signaling molecules. Here we characterize a dystroglycan-dystrophin-related protein 2 (DRP2) complex at the surface of myelin-forming Schwann cells. The complex is clustered by the interaction of DRP2 with L-periaxin, a homodimeric PDZ domain-containing protein. In the absence of L-periaxin, DRP2 is mislocalized and depleted, although other dystrophin family proteins are unaffected. Disruption of the DRP2-dystroglycan complex is followed by hypermyelination and destabilization of the Schwann cell-axon unit in Prx(-/-) mice. Hence, the DRP2-dystroglycan complex likely has a distinct function in the terminal stages of PNS myelinogenesis, possibly in the regulation of myelin thickness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / chemistry
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Axons / pathology
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / metabolism*
  • Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease / pathology
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / analysis
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dystroglycans
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / analysis
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / analysis
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Muscle Proteins*
  • Myelin Sheath / chemistry
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism
  • Schwann Cells / chemistry
  • Schwann Cells / metabolism*
  • Schwann Cells / pathology*

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DAG1 protein, human
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Muscle Proteins
  • dystrophin-related protein 2
  • periaxin
  • Dystroglycans