PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Anthony J. G. D. Holtmaat
AU  - Wim T. J. M. C. Hermens
AU  - Marc A. F. Sonnemans
AU  - Roman J. Giger
AU  - Fred W. Van Leeuwen
AU  - Michael G. Kaplitt
AU  - A. Beate Oestreicher
AU  - Willem Hendrik Gispen
AU  - Joost Verhaagen
TI  - Adenoviral Vector-Mediated Expression of B-50/GAP-43 Induces Alterations in the Membrane Organization of Olfactory Axon Terminals<em>In Vivo</em>
AID  - 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.17-17-06575.1997
DP  - 1997 Sep 01
TA  - The Journal of Neuroscience
PG  - 6575--6586
VI  - 17
IP  - 17
4099  - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/17/17/6575.short
4100  - http://www.jneurosci.org/content/17/17/6575.full
SO  - J. Neurosci.1997 Sep 01; 17
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.