QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, March 22, 2006, 26(12):3319-3329; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5383-05.2006

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplemental data Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (22) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Banerjee, S. Articles by Bhat, M. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Banerjee, S. Articles by Bhat, M. A.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Development/Plasticity/Repair
Axonal Ensheathment and Septate Junction Formation in the Peripheral Nervous System of Drosophila

Swati Banerjee,¹ Anilkumar M. Pillai,¹ Raehum Paik,¹ Jingjun Li,² and Manzoor A. Bhat^1,2,3,4

¹Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, ²Curriculum in Neurobiology, ³University of North Carolina Neuroscience Center, and ⁴Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7545

Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Manzoor A. Bhat, Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Neuroscience Research Building 5109F, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7545. Email: manzoor_bhat{at}med.unc.edu

Axonal insulation is critical for efficient action potential propagation and normal functioning of the nervous system. In Drosophila, the underlying basis of nerve ensheathment is the axonal insulation by glial cells and the establishment of septate junctions (SJs) between glial cell membranes. However, the details of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying axonal insulation and SJ formation are still obscure. Here, we report the characterization of axonal insulation in the Drosophila peripheral nervous system (PNS). Targeted expression of tau-green fluorescent protein in the glial cells and ultrastructural analysis of the peripheral nerves allowed us to visualize the glial ensheathment of axons. We show that individual or a group of axons are ensheathed by inner glial processes, which in turn are ensheathed by the outer perineurial glial cells. SJs are formed between the inner and outer glial membranes. We also show that Neurexin IV, Contactin, and Neuroglian are coexpressed in the peripheral glial membranes and that these proteins exist as a complex in the Drosophila nervous system. Mutations in neurexin IV, contactin, and neuroglian result in the disruption of blood–nerve barrier function in the PNS, and ultrastructural analyses of the mutant embryonic peripheral nerves show loss of glial SJs. Interestingly, the murine homologs of Neurexin IV, Contactin, and Neuroglian are expressed at the paranodal SJs and play a key role in axon-glial interactions of myelinated axons. Together, our data suggest that the molecular machinery underlying axonal insulation and axon-glial interactions may be conserved across species.

Key words: peripheral glia; glial septate junctions; chordotonal organs; blood–nerve barrier; neuron-glial interactions; cell adhesion

---

Received Dec. 16, 2005; revised Feb. 13, 2006; accepted Feb. 15, 2006.

Correspondence should be addressed to Dr. Manzoor A. Bhat, Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Neuroscience Research Building 5109F, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7545. Email: manzoor_bhat{at}med.unc.edu

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Hijazi, W. Masson, B. Auge, L. Waltzer, M. Haenlin, and F. Roch boudin is required for septate junction organisation in Drosophila and codes for a diffusible protein of the Ly6 superfamily Development, July 1, 2009; 136(13): 2199 - 2209. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Stork, S. Thomas, F. Rodrigues, M. Silies, E. Naffin, S. Wenderdel, and C. Klambt Drosophila Neurexin IV stabilizes neuron-glia interactions at the CNS midline by binding to Wrapper Development, April 15, 2009; 136(8): 1251 - 1261. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Wheeler, S. Banerjee, K. Blauth, S. L. Rogers, M. A. Bhat, and S. T. Crews Neurexin IV and Wrapper interactions mediate Drosophila midline glial migration and axonal ensheathment Development, April 1, 2009; 136(7): 1147 - 1157. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Stork, D. Engelen, A. Krudewig, M. Silies, R. J. Bainton, and C. Klambt Organization and Function of the Blood Brain Barrier in Drosophila J. Neurosci., January 16, 2008; 28(3): 587 - 597. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Silies, Y. Yuva, D. Engelen, A. Aho, T. Stork, and C. Klambt Glial Cell Migration in the Eye Disc J. Neurosci., November 28, 2007; 27(48): 13130 - 13139. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. Augustin, Y. Grosjean, K. Chen, Q. Sheng, and D. E. Featherstone Nonvesicular Release of Glutamate by Glial xCT Transporters Suppresses Glutamate Receptor Clustering In Vivo J. Neurosci., January 3, 2007; 27(1): 111 - 123. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help