Journal of Neuroscience, Vol 9, 3491-3504, Copyright © 1989 by Society for Neuroscience
The reappearance of a developmental stage-specific antigen in adult regenerating neurons of the cockroach
JL Denburg
Biology Department, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
A monoclonal antibody has previously been described that binds to all
neurons in the 15 d (50% development) cockroach embryo but to only a small
subset of neurons in the adult (Denburg et al., 1989). Experiments were
performed in order to determine whether the developmental stage-specific
antigen recognized by this antibody would reappear in adult neurons that
were induced to undergo axonal regeneration by axotomy. It is demonstrated
here that after nerve crush motor, sensory and interneurons undergo axonal
regeneration and regain their ability to bind this antibody. This indicates
that the developing and regenerating states of these neurons selectively
use the same molecules to perform apparently similar cellular functions.
The increase and subsequent decrease of antibody binding as a function of
time after nerve crush was determined for each of these adult neurons.
Correlations between the temporal distribution of the antigen and cellular
events occurring during axonal regeneration are consistent with a role for
this molecule in axon growth and the elimination of inappropriate synaptic
connections. The antigen was localized to the external surface of the
plasma membrane, and preliminary biochemical characterization has led to
the tentative identification of the antigen as a glycolipid. These
characteristics distinguish this growth- associated antigen from other
previously described molecules whose temporal distribution has implicated a
role for them in axon growth.