A study of Nestin-2: tissue distribution and its expression during DRG development

• Main Authors: Ya-Fan Chang, 張亞帆
• Other Authors: 楊西苑
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/60348622731188256124

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 分子與細胞生物學研究所 === 99 === Nestin is one of the type VI intermediate filaments (IF) and is usually used as an early neurogenesis cell marker. Regarding the molecular structure of nestin, like other intermediate filament proteins, nestin contains an N-terminal domain, a rod domain and a C-terminal domain. However, unlike other types of intermediate filaments, the C-terminal domain of nestin contains a Tandem Repeat (TR) region. The function of nestin has been reported as facilitating the disassembly of vimentin IFs during mitosis. Furthermore, nestin also exert anti-apoptosis function through phosphorylation at Thr316 by Cdk5, which subsequently sequester Cdk5/p35 complex, thereby inhibit Cdk5-dependent apoptotic signalling. In the adult rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG), nestin is only expressed in satellite cells and Schwann cellls, but not in sensory neurons. Recently, we have identified a novel alternatively spliced isoform of nestin, named nestin-2, in adult rat DRG neurons. An isoform specific antibody, named AY14, was raised against a frameshift region specfically existed in nestin-2. We further showed that nestin-2 was expressed postnatally during DRG development. The expression of nestin-2 in the DRG neurons was first observed at postnatal day 4 (P4), and its expression level increased upon DRG maturation. In addition, the distribution pattern of nestin-2 was investigated by AY14 immunoblotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. The results showed that, in addition to DRG, nestin-2 was also expressed in trigeminal ganglia, superior cervical ganglia, spinal cord and sciatic nerves. Furthermore, multiple labeling immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that nestin-2 was partially co-localized with the neruofilament or peripherin framework. In summary, we report, for the first time, the expression of a nestin isoform that presents in mature peripheral neurons. The fact that they are expressed in postmitotic neurons indicated that they may have distinct functions rather than the full-length nestin.