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Localization of the neuronal cell adhesion molecule D2-protein in explant cultures of dorsal root ganglia by use of the colloidal-gold immunocytochemical technique.

The localization of the neuronal cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM), D2-protein, in explant cultures of rat dorsal root ganglia was investigated at the electron microscope level by the use of 17-nm-diameter colloidal gold particles coated with swine anti-rabbit immunoglobulin molecules. The minimum amount of IgG needed to coat the gold particles and the pH optimal for coating were both determined. Immunocytochemical studies of cultures revealed the binding of gold particles to the neuronal plasma membrane, especially on neuritic processes. Schwann cells were not labeled, and the level of unspecific background staining was very low.

Animals↗

Elevated phenylalanine levels interfere with neurite outgrowth stimulated by the neuronal cell adhesion molecule L1 in vitro.

Elevated levels of phenylalanine (Phe) as observed in patients with phenylketonuria interfere with proper neuronal development, leading to severe psychomotor deficits and mental retardation. We have analyzed the effects of Phe on neurite outgrowth in vitro. When expressed in fibroblasts, the neuronal cell adhesion molecules L1 and plexin B3 strongly increase the length of neurites emanating from cerebellar neurons in co-culture experiments. Elevated Phe blocks L1-mediated, but not plexin B3-mediated outgrowth, whereas tyrosine is ineffective. Elevated Phe also interferes with aggregation of fibroblasts overexpressing L1, suggesting that the pathological effect of elevated Phe occurs by interfering with L1-mediated cell adhesion.

3T3 Cells↗

Further studies of elevated cerebrospinal fluid neuronal cell adhesion molecule in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of the present study were to attempt to replicate a previous finding of increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neuronal cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) in schizophrenia, and to assess whether the increases could be related to medication, clinical state effects, or brain structural measures. METHODS: CSF N-CAM was measured by the Western blot technique in 45 DSM-III-R diagnosed male schizophrenic patients both on and off haloperidol treatment and in 20 healthy male control subjects. RESULTS: CSF N-CAM was significantly increased in schizophrenic patients, with no overlap in the ranges, when compared to controls. There were no significant effects of medication or exacerbation on CSF N-CAM. No associations with measures of brain structure were found. CONCLUSIONS: Because N-CAM levels were not shown to be different on and off treatment or in exacerbated versus nonexacerbated patients, the higher levels seen in schizophrenic patients may be inherent to the disorder and possibly related to neurodevelopment.

Adult↗

Neural cell adhesion molecules, neuronal development and lead toxicity.

The major families of neural cell recognition molecules and the mechanisms by which they regulate neural development are described. The role of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) isoforms in organizing tissue structure and pattern is discussed in detail and their degree of sialylation is proposed to regulate the intimacy of cell-cell interaction, including that of synapse formation. The ability of chronic low level lead to impair normal NCAM sialylation pattern during postnatal development is discussed and this is suggested to perturb synapse selection procedures in a manner which may account for subsequent learning deficits in the adult rodent. In support of this proposal, change in hippocampal NCAM sialylation is demonstrated to occur in the synapse-specific isoform during the acquisition and consolidation of a passive avoidance response in the adult rat.

Animals↗

Neuronal cell adhesion molecules and cytotactin are colocalized at the node of Ranvier.

Immunocytochemical methods were used to show that Ng-CAM (the neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule), N-CAM (the neural cell adhesion molecule), and the extracellular matrix protein cytotactin are highly concentrated at nodes of Ranvier of the adult chicken and mouse. In contrast, unmyelinated axonal fibers were uniformly stained by specific antibodies to both CAMs but not by antibodies to cytotactin. Ultrastructural immunogold techniques indicated that both N-CAM and Ng-CAM were enriched in the nodal axoplasm and axolemma of myelinated fibers as well as within the nodal regions of the myelinating Schwann cell. At embryonic day 14, before myelination had occurred, small-caliber fibers of chick embryos showed periodic coincident accumulations of the two CAMs but not of cytotactin, with faint labeling in the axonal regions between accumulations. Cytotactin was found on Schwann cells and in connective tissue. By embryonic day 18, nodal accumulations of CAMs were first observed in a few medium- and large-caliber fibers. Immunoblot analyses indicated that embryonic to adult conversion of N-CAM and a progressive decrease in the amount of Ng-CAM and N-CAM occurred while nodes were forming. Sciatic nerves of mouse mutants with defects in cell interactions showed abnormalities in the distribution patterns and amount of Ng-CAM, N-CAM, and cytotactin that were consistent with the known morphological nodal disorders. In trembler (+/Tr), intense staining for both CAMs appeared all along the fibers and the amounts of N-CAM in the sciatic nerve were found to be increased. In mice with motor endplate disease (med/med), Ng-CAM and N-CAM, but not cytotactin, were localized in the widened nodes. Both trembler and med/med Schwann cells stained intensely for cytotactin, in contrast to normal Schwann cells which stained only slightly. All of these findings are consistent with the hypothesis that surface modulation of neuronal CAMs mediated by signals shared between neurons and glia may be necessary for establishing and maintaining the nodes of Ranvier.

Animals↗

Proteolysis of neuronal cell adhesion molecule by the tissue plasminogen activator-plasmin system after kainate injection in the mouse hippocampus.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a serine protease that converts inactive plasminogen to the active protease plasmin and mediates extracellular metabolism. tPA is transcriptionally induced in the mouse hippocampus by pharmacological or electrical stimulation of neuronal activity and mediates excitotoxin-induced neuronal degeneration. Therefore, we hypothesized that tPA would be induced in the hippocampus after kainic acid (KA) injection into the lateral cerebral ventricle (LCV) and that the activated tPA-plasmin system would degrade the neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), which is a component of the extracellular matrix. In order to investigate this possibility, we first examined whether NCAM is a substrate for the tPA plasmin system by incubating mouse brain homogenates with tPA and plasminogen at 37 degrees C. Next, we examined the degradation of NCAM and the changes of tPA activity in the mouse hippocampus with immunohistochemical procedures and histological zymography after KA injection into both LCVs. As a result, we observed neuronal atrophy and a decrease of NCAM immunoreactivity along with an increase of tPA activity in the CA3 area of the hippocampus. These results suggest that activation of the tPA plasmin system after KA injection into the LCVs results in the degradation of NCAM in the CA3 area.

Animals↗

Altered expression of neuronal cell adhesion molecules induced by nerve injury and repair.

Peripheral nerve injury results in short-term and long-term changes in both neurons and glia. In the present study, immunohistological and immunoblot analyses were used to examine the expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) and the neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule (Ng-CAM) within different parts of a functionally linked neuromuscular system extending from skeletal muscle to the spinal cord after peripheral nerve injury. Histological samples were taken from 3 to 150 d after crushing or transecting the sciatic nerve in adult chickens and mice. In unperturbed tissues, both N-CAM and Ng-CAM were found on nonmyelinated axons, and to a lesser extent on Schwann cells and myelinated axons. Only N-CAM was found on muscles. After denervation, the following changes were observed: The amount of N-CAM in muscle fibers increased transiently on the surface and in the cytoplasm, and in interstitial spaces between fibers. Restoration of normal N-CAM levels in muscle was dependent on reinnervation; in a chronically denervated state, N-CAM levels remained high. After crushing or cutting the nerve, the amount of both CAMs increased in the area surrounding the lesion, and the predominant form of N-CAM changed from a discrete Mr 140,000 component to the polydisperse high molecular weight embryonic form. Anti-N-CAM antibodies stained neurites, Schwann cells, and the perineurium of the regenerating sciatic nerve. Anti-Ng-CAM antibodies labeled neurites, Schwann cells and the endoneurial tubes in the distal stump. Changes in CAM distribution were observed in dorsal root ganglia and in the spinal cord only after the nerve was cut. The fibers within affected dorsal root ganglia were more intensely labeled for both CAMs, and the motor neurons in the ventral horn of the spinal cord of the affected segments were stained more intensely in a ring pattern by anti-N-CAM and anti-Ng-CAM than their counterparts on the side contralateral to the lesion. Taken together with the previous studies (Rieger, F., M. Grumet, and G. M. Edelman, J. Cell Biol. 101:285-293), these data suggest that local signals between neurons and glia may regulate CAM expression in the spinal cord and nerve during regeneration, and that activity may regulate N-CAM expression in muscle. Correlations of the present observations are made here with established events of nerve degeneration and suggest a number of roles for the CAMs in regenerative events.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Neuronal pathfinding and recognition: roles of cell adhesion molecules.

Neurons contact their neighbors through a diverse array of cell adhesion and other surface molecules. These molecules can exhibit highly regulated patterns of expression, underscoring their multiple roles in establishing specific interactions between neurons and their environment. Recent studies are beginning to ask how these membrane-bound neural recognition molecules interact with each other and intracellular signaling pathways within an individual neuronal growth cone, and direct the formation of neural connections during development.

Animals↗

Mutational analysis of the L1 neuronal cell adhesion molecule identifies membrane-proximal amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain that are required for cytoskeletal anchorage.

The preferential localization of the L1 cell adhesion molecule in the axons and growth cones of differentiating neurons suggests the existence of a mechanism for targeting or anchoring the molecule to these locations. We have used B28 glioma cells, which have an extremely flattened morphology, as a model system to study the organization of L1 on the cell structure. Transfection of L1 cDNA into B28 cells results in expression of the L1 protein in organized linear cell surface arrays which are codistributed with cytoskeletal stress fibers, but not with microtubles or intermediate filaments. Transfection studies with L1 deletion mutants identify the juxtamembrane segment of the cytoplasmic domain as the critical entity for arrangement of L1 into ordered cell surface arrays. The seventh cytoplasmic amino acid of L1, lysine 1150, and to a lesser extent the fourth cytoplasmic amino acid, lysine 1147, appear to be critical residues for maintaining normal L1 anchorage and distribution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional analysis of posttranslational cleavage products of the neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule, Ng-CAM.

Neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule (Ng-CAM) mediates cell adhesion between neurons homophilically and between neurons and glia heterophilically; it also promotes neurite outgrowth. In the chick brain, Ng-CAM is detected as glycoproteins of 190 and 210 kD (Ng-CAM200) with posttranslational cleavage products of 135 kD (F135, which contains most of the extracellular region) and 80 kD (F80, which includes the transmembrane and the cytoplasmic domains). To examine the functions of each of these components, we have expressed Ng-CAM200, F135, and F80 in murine L cells, and F135 and F80 as GST fusion proteins in the pGEX vector in bacteria. Appropriately transfected L cells expressed each of these proteins on their surfaces; F135 was also found in the media of cells transfected with Ng-CAM200 and F135. In addition to binding homophilically, cells transfected with Ng-CAM200 and F135 bound heterophilically to untransfected L cells, suggesting that there is a ligand for Ng-CAM on fibroblasts that may be related to the glial ligand. Detailed studies using the transfected cells and the fusion proteins indicated that both the homophilic and the heterophilic binding activities of Ng-CAM are localized in the F135 fragment of the molecule. The results also indicated that proteolytic cleavage of Ng-CAM200 is not required either for its expression on the cell surface or for cell adhesion and that there is an "anchor" for F135 on L cells (and presumably on neurons). In contrast to the cell binding results, the F80 but not the F135 fusion protein enhanced the outgrowth of neurites from dorsal root ganglion cells; this activity was associated with the FnIII repeats of F80. The observations that a protein corresponding to F135 contains the cell aggregation sites whereas one corresponding to the F80 has the ability to promote neurite outgrowth suggest that proteolytic cleavage may be an important event in regulating these Ng-CAM activities during embryonic development and neural regeneration.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule interacts with neurons and astroglia via different binding mechanisms.

The neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule (Ng-CAM) is present in the central nervous system on postmitotic neurons and in the periphery on neurons and Schwann cells. It has been implicated in binding between neurons and between neurons and glia. To understand the molecular mechanisms of Ng-CAM binding, we analyzed the aggregation of chick Ng-CAM either immobilized on 0.5-micron beads (Covaspheres) or reconstituted into liposomes. The results were correlated with the binding of these particles to different types of cells as well as with cell-cell binding itself. Both Ng-CAM-Covaspheres and Ng-CAM liposomes individually self-aggregated, and antibodies against Ng-CAM strongly inhibited their aggregation; the rate of aggregation increased approximately with the square of the concentration of the beads or the liposomes. Much higher rates of aggregation were observed when the ratio of Ng-CAM to lipid in the liposome was increased. Radioiodinated Ng-CAM on Covaspheres and in liposomes bound both to neurons and to glial cells and in each case antibodies against Ng-CAM inhibited 50-90% of the binding. Control preparations of fibroblasts and meningeal cells did not exhibit significant binding. Adhesion between neurons and glia within and across species (chick and mouse) was explored in cellular assays after defining markers for each cell type, and optimal conditions of shear, temperature, and cell density. As previously noted using chick cells (Grumet, M., S. Hoffman, C.-M. Chuong, and G. M. Edelman. 1984 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 81:7989-7993), anti-Ng-CAM antibodies inhibited neuron-neuron and neuron-glia binding. In cross-species adhesion assays, binding of chick neurons to mouse astroglia and binding of mouse neurons to chick astroglia were both inhibited by anti-Ng-CAM antibodies. To identify whether the cellular ligands for Ng-CAM differed for neuron-neuron and neuron-glia binding, cells were preincubated with specific antibodies, the antibodies were removed by washing, and Ng-CAM-Covasphere binding was measured. Preincubation of neurons with anti-Ng-CAM antibodies inhibited Ng-CAM-Covasphere binding but similar preincubation of astroglial cells did not inhibit binding. In contrast, preincubation of astroglia with anti-astroglial cell antibodies inhibited binding to these cells but preincubation of neurons with these antibodies had no effect. Together with the data on Covaspheres and liposome aggregation, these findings suggested that Ng-CAM-Covaspheres bound to Ng-CAM on neurons but bound to different molecules on astroglia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Effect of chronic emotional stress and low dose ethanol on the level of neuronal cell adhesion molecule and glial fibrillary acidic protein in rat brain].

The effect of chronic emotional stress and ethanol on NCAM and GFAP levels in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum and medulla-ponts was investigated. We report about increase of NCAM and GFAP concentrations in the cerebral cortex and decline of the total protein contents in the investigated brain areas of middle-sleep rats under the stress conditions. Ethanol in the dose of 0.5 g/kg during 7 days evoked opposite changes of NCAM and GFAP concentration and elevation of the total protein level in medulla-pons. In the other brain areas level changes of only one (any) of the two investigated neurospecific proteins were observed. Ethanol injections to the stressed rats normalized the relative weights of adrenals and the level of total protein in the brain areas but didn't normalize the behavioral activity in an "open field" test. Besides, we observed a dramatic increase of GFAP level (over 10 times) in the medulla-pons which may be connected with glioses. These results suggest the specific changes of NCAM and GFAP contents under the chronic emotional stress which don't correlate with changes in the hypophysis-adrenals system.

Adrenal Glands↗

Induction of NILE/L1 glycoprotein during neuronal differentiation of the embryonal carcinoma cell line EC1003.

A new clone of the mouse embryonal carcinoma cell line 1003 (EC 1003.16) can be maintained in an undifferentiated state in serum-containing medium. Shifting these cells to serum-free, hormonally defined medium causes them to differentiate morphologically and acquire a number of molecular properties characteristic of neurons. Whereas undifferentiated cells lack the NILE/L1 glycoprotein, expression of this neuronal cell adhesion molecule is induced in the differentiating cells. Message for NILE/L1 becomes detectable after 5 days in serum-free medium, and cell-surface NILE/L1 can first be seen at this same time. Changes in two other cell adhesion molecules occur in parallel with the induction of NILE/L1. Fibronectin receptor is present on undifferentiated cells, but is down-regulated by the differentiating neurons. The neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) undergoes a shift from the very adhesive adult form to the less adhesive, highly sialylated embryonic form. These changes would appear to emphasize the role of NILE/L1 in adhesive interactions involving differentiating neurons. Some changes in ganglioside expression also occur during EC 1003.16 differentiation. Undifferentiated cells express the D 1.1 ganglioside but lack gangliosides that are reactive with the monoclonal antibody A2B5. Differentiating cells lose D 1.1 and become A2B5-positive. Since D 1.1 is characteristic of undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells and A2B5 reactivity is a marker for several types of differentiated neurons, these changes in vitro appear to mimic events that occur in vivo.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Expression of polysialylated N-CAM in the central nervous system of adult canaries and its possible relation to function.

Polysialylated neuronal cell adhesion molecule (PSA-N-CAM) is a cell surface molecule associated with neurons that undergo changes in configuration or spatial translocation. In both cases, this molecule is thought to reduce the adhesivity of these cells or of their processes, which can thereby insinuate themselves into the existing parenchyma. We used a monoclonal antibody specific to PSA to offer what we believe is the first account of the distribution of PSA-N-CAM in the adult songbird brain. This antibody stained a diversity of cell classes and processes, as follows: 1) a subset of ventricular zone cells; 2) migrating cells thought to be neuroblasts; 3) a subset of differentiated neurons; 4) some brain surface astrocytes; 5) some tanycytes; 6) the neuropil of some regions; 7) some axonal fibers; and 8) possibly some synapses. Our results demonstrate also, for the first time, the wide distribution of a very numerous population of migrating cells in the telencephalon and the seasonal regulation of PSA-N-CAM expression in a part of the adult brain known to undergo seasonal changes in cell recruitment and function. However, we did not find PSA-N-CAM associated with young migrating cells in the high vocal center (HVC), nor was there PSA-N-CAM in the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA), which is known to receive new axonal endings from HVC. In these instances spatial translocation may occur with the assistance of other surface molecules.

Animals↗

Substrate-bound GP130/F11 will promote neurite outgrowth: evidence for a cell surface receptor.

GP130/F11 is a neuronal cell adhesion molecule belonging to the Ig superfamily. Preliminary evidence suggests that it may be important for the fasciculation of axons and cell-cell interactions during synaptogenesis. Previous work has shown that when F3 (the mouse homologue) is transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells it will act as a substrate for neuronal growth and adhesion. In this study we have shown that isolated GP130/F11 will also act as a substrate for the growth of chick dorsal root ganglia cell neurons. The concentration of GP130/F11 on the surface of sympathetic neurons, grown for one day in culture was approximately 40 ng cm-2 which was comparable to the levels required to stimulate neurite outgrowth. Deglycosylation of GP130/F11 or partial denaturation by boiling did not abolish the activity. However, after treatment with dithiothreitol, GP130/F11 was no longer capable of stimulating neurite outgrowth. GP130/F11 will also stimulate neurite outgrowth from forebrain neurons from 7 to 9-day-old embryos. These do not express GP130/F11 until around day 10, providing further evidence that GP130/F11 interacts with an as yet unknown cell surface receptor.

Animals↗

Nerve growth factor enhances expression of neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule in PC12 cells.

The neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule (Ng-CAM) has been identified in mammalian brain tissue and PC12 pheochromocytoma cells as Mr 200,000 and Mr 230,000 species, respectively. When PC12 cells were treated with nerve growth factor (NGF), the amount of Ng-CAM at the cell surface was increased approximately threefold, whereas the amount of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) remained unchanged. An NGF-inducible large external glycoprotein (NILE) has been previously identified by its enhanced expression in NGF-treated PC12 cells. Ng-CAM and NILE are similar in molecular weight, expression during development, and responsiveness to NGF in PC12 cells, suggesting that the two molecules are related. In addition, antibodies to Ng-CAM and NILE cross-reacted and the molecules had similar peptide maps after limited proteolysis. Moreover, antibodies to Ng-CAM inhibited fasciculation of neurites, a functional property shared with NILE. The results show that cell adhesion molecules can respond selectively to growth factors and suggest that NILE is, in fact, mammalian Ng-CAM.

Animals↗

Functional expression of a full-length cDNA coding for rat neural cell adhesion molecule L1 mediates homophilic intercellular adhesion and migration of cerebellar neurons.

Neural cell adhesion molecule L1 is postulated to be involved in cell-cell interaction, neurite elongation, fasciculation of axons, cell migration, and myelination. To determine the function of L1 directly, we have transfected rat L1 cDNA into mouse fibroblast L cells. Stable transformants expressing L1 showed uniform surface expression of the molecule without phenotypic changes. Dispersed L1-expressing transfectants aggregated with faster kinetics than control cells in a homophilic manner. Divalent cations were not required for this cell aggregation. L1-transfected cells markedly enhanced neuronal cell adhesion and migration in co-culture with rat cerebellar neurons. These results indicate that L1 is involved in a determinant step of neural development through molecular interactions.

Animals↗