RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Adenoviral Vector-Mediated Expression of B-50/GAP-43 Induces Alterations in the Membrane Organization of Olfactory Axon Terminals<em>In Vivo</em>
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 6575
OP 6586
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.17-17-06575.1997
VO 17
IS 17
A1 Anthony J. G. D. Holtmaat
A1 Wim T. J. M. C. Hermens
A1 Marc A. F. Sonnemans
A1 Roman J. Giger
A1 Fred W. Van Leeuwen
A1 Michael G. Kaplitt
A1 A. Beate Oestreicher
A1 Willem Hendrik Gispen
A1 Joost Verhaagen
YR 1997
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/17/17/6575.abstract
AB B-50/GAP-43 is an intraneuronal membrane-associated growth cone protein with an important role in axonal growth and regeneration. By using adenoviral vector-directed expression of B-50/GAP-43 we studied the morphogenic action of B-50/GAP-43 in mature primary olfactory neurons that have established functional synaptic connections. B-50/GAP-43 induced gradual alterations in the morphology of olfactory synapses. In the first days after overexpression, small protrusions originating from the preterminal axon shaft and from the actual synaptic bouton were formed. With time the progressive formation of multiple ultraterminal branches resulted in axonal labyrinths composed of tightly packed sheaths of neuronal membrane. Thus, B-50/GAP-43 is a protein that can promote neuronal membrane expansion at synaptic boutons. This function of B-50/GAP-43 suggests that this protein may subserve an important role in ongoing structural synaptic plasticity in adult neurons and in neuronal membrane repair after injury to synaptic fields.