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F3/contactin, a neuronal cell adhesion molecule implicated in axogenesis and myelination.

A general feature of the cell adhesion molecules belonging to the immunoglobulin family (Ig-CAMs) is to display a modular structure that provides a framework for multiple binding sites for other recognition molecules. Among this family, F3/contactin is a glycan phosphatidyl-inositol (GPI)-anchored molecule expressed by neurons that displays the distinctiveness to exert heterophilic but no homophilic binding activities. The Ig domains of F3/contactin were shown to interact with the L1 family of Ig-CAMs, including L1, NrCAM, and neurofascin. Binding between F3/contactin and NrCAM is known to modulate axonal elongation of the cerebellar granule cells and to control sensory axon guidance. F3/contactin mediates neuron-glial contacts through its association with extracellular matrix components (tenascin-R, tenascin-C) and RPTPbeta/phosphacan, influencing axonal growth and fasciculation. Another major role of F3/contactin is to organize axonal subdomains at the node of Ranvier of myelinated fibers in interplay with other Ig-CAMs, through its binding with caspr/paranodin at paranodes and the voltage-gated sodium channels in the nodal region. The F3/contactin deficient mice display a severe ataxia correlated with defects in axonal and dendritic projections in the cerebellum. These mice also display defects in nerve influx conduction due to the disruption of the axo-glial contacts at paranodes. Finally, the recent identification of a Drosophila homologue of F3/contactin indicated that this family of GPI-anchored CAMs plays a conserved function in axonal insulation.

Animals↗

[Primary hyperparathyroidism, a differential diagnosis of motor neuron diseases].

INTRODUCTION: Motor neuron diseases are always lethal. Other curable causes of neurologic disorders have to be sought. We report an example. EXEGESIS: A 72-year-old man presented a distal weakness and atrophy of the upper extremities. Electromyography showed thenar and hypothenar denervation, without fasciculation. Hypercalcemia led to the discovery of a primary hyperparathyroidism. Five months after parathyroid surgery, there was no worsening. CONCLUSION: Von Recklinghausen and Vical were the first to describe neuromuscular involvement in primary hyperparathyroidism. Faced with symptoms mimicking motor neuron diseases, calcium and phosphorus levels have to be measured because hyperparathyroidism can be cured and neurologic disorders disappear after surgery.

Adenoma↗

Early variations of the disialoganglioside GD3 in chicken embryonic brain support its role in cell migration.

In the present study a primary culture system of chicken embryo brain neurons was used in the early period of chicken brain development from day 6 until day 8, which was shown to be a suitable model of neuritogenesis, cell migration and reaggregation. Dissociated chicken optic tectum cells from embryonic stage 31 were cultured on polylysine-coated dishes under serum-free conditions up to 3 days. Freshly dissociated neurons developed short processes, which contacted one another and formed fasciculated bundles. Cell somata migrated along the neurite bundles, similar to migrating neurons in vivo, forming three-dimensional tissue-like clusters. This system was used to study the possible functions of the disialoganglioside GD3 for these neuronal differentiation steps. GD3 represents the predominant ganglioside of embryonic neurons before neuritogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Its biosynthesis is followed during day 6 until day 8 of embryonic brain development. Incubation of dissociated neurons with the monoclonal antibody R-24, recognising the GD3 on the cell surface, led to a total blocking of neurite outgrowth. Accordingly, neither cell migration nor reaggregation could be found. These results indicate that the disialoganglioside GD3 plays a central role in neuronal differentiation and development in the embryonic chicken brain.

Animals↗

The retinal axon's pathfinding to the optic disk.

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons travel in radial routes unerringly toward the optic disk, their first intermediate target in the center of the eye. The path of the RGC growth cone is restricted to a narrow zone subjacent to the endfeet of Müller glial cells and the vitreal basal lamina. The present survey indicates that RGC growth cones are guided by many molecular cues along their pathway which are recognized by receptors on their surface. Growth-promoting molecules on Müller glial endfeet and in the basal lamina assist growth cones in maintaining contact with these elements. The repellant character of deeper retinal laminae discourages them from escaping the RGC axon layer. Cell adhesion/recognition proteins enable growth cones to fasciculate with preformed axons in their vicinity. It is still unclear whether the optic disk emits long range guidance components which enable the growth cones to steer toward it. Recent evidence in fish indicates the existence of an axonal receptor (neurolin) for a guidance component of unknown identity. Receptor blockade causes RGC axons to course in aberrant routes before they reach the disk. At the disk, axons receive signals to exit the retina. Contact with netrin-1 at the optic disk/nerve head encourages growth cones to turn into the nerve. This response requires the axonal netrin receptor DCC, laminin-1, beta-integrin and most likely the UNC5H netrin receptors which convert the growth encouraging signal into a repulsive one which drives growth cones into the nerve.

Animals↗

Hereditary spastic paraparesis with distal muscle wasting, microcephaly, mental retardation, arachnodactyly and tremors: new entity?

We present a consanguineous Pakistani family in which four patients (two males and two females) had a new Troyer-like phenotype. All four patients showed some marfanoid features (span more than height, arachnodactyly, high arched palate), and generalized hyper-reflexia. The two affected males and the younger female also had microcephaly and mental retardation. Features only present in the affected males included short stature, dysarthria, amyotrophy of the distal muscles, fasciculations and tremor. The distal muscle wasting in the two affected brothers reflected the presence of axonal neuropathy demonstrated both electrophysiologically and by nerve biopsy. Although neither of the sisters had any degree of distal muscle wasting, both had reduced M-wave amplitude of the tibial and peroneal nerves, bilaterally. The described phenotype does not fit any of the recognized forms of hereditary spastic paraparesis with distal muscle wasting. The specific axonal neuropathy differentiates it from familial motor neuron disease with mental retardation. The reported phenotype represents a possible new Troyer-like syndrome similar to that described by Neuhäuser (1976), but differs from it by the lack of major dysmorphic features.

Adolescent↗

Demyelinating polyneuropathy with preferentially-proximal involvement.

A 47-year-old man showed progressive, symmetrical weakness in the limbs for 6 months. There was muscle atrophy, fasciculations, and acute denervation without motor conduction abnormalities below the elbows or knees, and motor neuron disease had once been suspected. However, compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) after proximal stimulation showed an amplitude reduction between axilla and Erb's point for the median and ulnar nerves on both sides. His weakness as well as the amplitude reduction improved after administration of prednisolone. Demyelinative conduction abnormalities can be limited to the proximal segments for at least several months in a conduction equivalent to chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Demyelinating Diseases↗

Abnormalities in cellular adhesion of neuroblastoma and fibroblast models of Lesch Nyhan syndrome.

Lesch Nyhan syndrome is a neurological paediatric condition characterized by mental retardation, choreathotosis and self-mutilation. Biochemically, this condition has been attributed to a deficiency in the purine enzyme, hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, however, the way this affects the development of the nervous system is still unknown. Ma et al.(15) and Stacey et al.(25) found that hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase-deficient neuroblastoma, differentiated significantly more than cells with this enzyme. Here, we report that adhesion of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase-deficient neuroblastoma as well as fibroblasts from patients with Lesch Nyhan syndrome, exhibited dramatically enhanced adhesion compared to control cells. This increase in adhesion was dependent upon the cell type, density of the cells and upon the substrate used. Development of the nervous system is dependent on adhesion, in particular in the processes of migration, nucleation, differentiation and fasciculation. Our results suggest that the increased adhesion of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase-deficient neuroblastoma and fibroblasts in vitro underpins the neuropathology of Lesch Nyhan syndrome.

Animals↗

Development and evolution of the collopallium in amniotes: a new hypothesis of field homology.

Embryological development is uniquely positioned to illuminate both hodology in adult brains and its inherited genetic bases. The lateral corner of the lateral ventricle in mammals is a particularly crucial region where cell migration patterns, transiently formed connections, axonal growth kinetics, and fasciculation patterns are complex and interactive. Based on hodology, the sauropsid anterior dorsal ventricular ridge (ADVR) has been proposed as the homologue on a one-to-one basis of the mammalian lateral neocortex (LNC), the basolateral amygdalar complex (BLA), or the claustrum-endopiriform nucleus (CE). Data on gene expression patterns during development have indicated ADVR homology with parts of the latter two structures rather than with LNC. Collothalamic nuclei (the set of dorsal thalamic nuclei that receive their predominant input from the midbrain roof) project to part of BLA and to LNC. Recent findings demonstrate a complex pattern of mutually overlapping but noncongruent gene expression territories and collothalamic projections, which suggests a new, collopallial field hypothesis that the ADVR is homologous as a field to all three structures LNC, BLA, and CE. This hypothesis accounts for current hodological and developmental data as well as for lack of a CE in monotremes and for an abnormal subcortical lamina of gray matter that results from a genetic abnormality in humans.

Animals↗

[Myotonic seizures; the action of curare or related compounds on myotonia (author's transl)].

Myotonic seizures with apnea are alarming but temporary incidents occurring during curaization of a myotonic patient. Experience with regional curaization in myotonia shows that it is induced only by suxamethonium and it is only an exaggeration of the fasciculations produced by this compound. In contrast, however, competitive curare compounds have no effect on myotonia. The myotonic seizure, which is specific to myotonia, is radically different from the other respiratory accidents common to muscular dystrophies.

Adolescent↗

L1CAM mutation in a Japanese family with X-linked hydrocephalus: a study for genetic counseling.

Mutations in the gene encoding neural cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM) are involved in X-linked hydrocephalus (HSAS, hydrocephalus due to stenosis of the aqueduct of Sylvius), MASA syndrome (mental retardation, aphasia, shuffling gait, and adducted thumbs), and spastic paraplegia type 1. We examined the L1CAM mutation in a Japanese family with HSAS for the purpose of DNA-based genetic counseling. The proband was a 9-year-old boy who had a 1-bp deletion in exon 22 of the L1CAM gene. This resulted in a shift of the reading frame, and introduction of a premature stop codon. Translation of this mRNA will create a truncated protein without the transmembrane domain, which cannot be expressed on the cell surface. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) revealed markedly enlarged lateral ventricles, hypoplastic white matter, thin cortical mantle, agenesis of the corpus callosum and septum pellucidum, and a fused thalamus. These findings represented impaired L1CAM function during development of the nervous system with resultant adhesion between neurons, neurites outgrowth and fasciculation, and neural cell migration. Screening by Apa I digestion of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products identified the mother and the younger sister as heterozygous carriers. The carriers were asymptomatic. The father and the other sister did not have the mutation. The identification of L1CAM mutation in families with HSAS will give them the opportunity for DNA-based counseling and prenatal diagnosis.

Child↗

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in development and plasticity of the nervous system.

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is strongly expressed in the nervous system. NCAM is found in three major forms, of which two--NCAM-140 and NCAM-180--are transmembrane proteins, while the third--NCAM-120--is attached to the membrane via a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol anchor. In addition, soluble NCAM forms exist in brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and plasma. NCAM mediates cell adhesion through homophilic as well as through heterophilic interactions. Following NCAM binding, transmembrane signalling is believed to be activated, resulting in increased intracellular calcium. By mediating cell adhesion to other cells and to the extracellular matrix and by activating intracellular signaling pathways, NCAM influences cell migration, neurite extension, and fasciculation, and possibly formation of synapses in the brain. From studies on NCAM knock-out mice, NCAM have been shown to be crucial for the formation of the olfactory bulb and the mossy fiber system in the hippocampus. In addition, NCAM is important for neuronal plasticity in the adult brain associated with learning and regeneration.

Aging↗

Palliative care in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common degenerative motor neuron disease in adults. The clinical picture consists of generalized fasciculations, progressive atrophy and weakness of the skeletal muscles, spasticity and pyramidal tract signs, dysarthria, dysphagia, and dyspnea. Pseudobulbar affect is common. Disease-specific treatment options are still unsatisfactory. Therapeutic nihilism is not justified as a large array of palliative measures available to enhance the quality of life of patients and their families. Because of its clinical characteristics, ALS represents a paradigm for palliative care in neurological diseases. Numerous projects are being undertaken worldwide in an effort to enlarge the evidence base for palliative interventions in ALS. Palliative care in ALS is a multidisciplinary effort requiring careful coordination. An open and empathic disclosure of the diagnosis is essential. Nutritional deficiency caused by dysphagia can be relieved by a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Respiratory insufficiency can be effectively treated by non-invasive home mechanical ventilation. The terminal phase of the disease should be discussed at the latest when symptoms of dyspnea appear, in order to prevent unwarranted fears of "choking to death." Psychological and spiritual care of patients and families are important. Collaboration with hospice institutions and completion of advance directives can be of invaluable help in the terminal phase.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

Cryptic responses to tissue manipulations in avian embryos.

Experimental embryology performed on avian embryos combines tissue manipulations and cell-labeling methods with increasing opportunities and demands for critical assays of the results. These approaches continue to reveal unexpected complexities in the normal patterns of cell movement and tissue origins, documentation of which is critical to unraveling the intricacies of cell and tissue interactions during embryogenesis. Viktor Hamburger's many pioneering contributions helped launch and promote the philosophical as well as technical elements of avian experimental embryology. Furthermore, his scholarship and profoundly positive presence influenced not just those of us fortunate to have trained with him, but several generations of developmental biologists. The first part of this article presents examples of the opportunities and rewards that have occurred due to his influences. Surgical manipulation of avian embryonic tissues always introduces a greater number of variables than the experimenter can control for or, often, readily identify. We present the results of dorsal and ventral lesions of hindbrain segments, which include defects in structures within, beside, and also at a considerable distance from the site of lesion. Extramedullary loops of longitudinal tract axons exit and re-enter the neural tube, and intra-medullary proliferation of blood vessels is expanded. Peripherally, the coalescence of neural crest- and placode-derived neuroblasts is disrupted. As expected, motor neurons and their projections close to the sites of lesion are compromised. However, an unexpected finding is that the normal projections of cranial nerves located distant to the lesion site were also disrupted. Following brainstem lesions in the region of rhombomeres 3, 4 or 5, trigeminal or oculomotor axons penetrated the lateral rectus muscle. Surprisingly, the ability of VIth nerve axons to reach the lateral rectus muscle was not destroyed in most cases, even though the terrain through which they needed to pass was disrupted. These axons typically followed a more ventral course than normal, and usually, the axons emerging from individual roots failed to fasciculate into a common VIth nerve, which suggests that each rootlet contains pathfinder-competent axons. The lesson from these lesions is that surgical intervention in avian embryos may have substantial effects upon tissues within, adjacent to, and distant to those that are being manipulated.

Animals↗

Expression of the surface antigen A2B7 in adult and developing honeybee olfactory pathway.

In order to identify molecules involved in the development of the honeybee olfactory pathway, hybridoma technology has been used. Among different cell lines, A2B7 has been selected. It produces a specific antibody for a surface glycoprotein of 91 kDa. This protein is mainly expressed by both the antennal receptor cells and mushroom body neurons. Based on (i) the spatio-temporal pattern of expression during pupal development; (ii) the cell surface location of the antigen; and (iii) the partial molecular characterization of the antigen, a putative role for this protein in axonal fasciculation and guidance is discussed.

Animals↗

L1 and laminin: their expression during rat hypophysis ontogenesis and in adult neurohemal areas.

L1 is a murine multidomain glycoprotein implicated in cell aggregation, fasciculation. neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis. Laminin, a trimeric polypeptide, is implicated in neuronal survival, growth cone guidance, neurite outgrowth and cell differentiation. Laminin can also interact with the cell adhesion molecule L1. Their expressions were investigated from embryonic day 15 (E15) to adult in the rat hypophysis, and in adult neurohemal zones. Detected in the neural lobe from E17, the L1 immunoreactivity increased during prenatal development and persisted in adulthood mainly related to the neuropeptidergic fibers. Pituicytes were only labelled on the plasmalemma apposed to axons. In the intermediate lobe, L1 appeared at birth on folliculo-stellate cells extensions, constituting a network which densified during postnatal development. L1 is also expressed in all neurohemal areas on neuronal profiles. Laminin was clearly detectable in the hypophysis at E15 before the first blood vessels penetrate the Rathke pouch. At E20, all the basal membranes of the blood vessels were stained. In the intermediate lobe, a spotted laminin immunoreactivity was detected at E21. At this stage, we observed the staining of intercellular spaces and the intracellular labelling of melanotrophs, concerning reticulum or vesicles. The staining of melanotrophs seemed to maintain during adulthood. In contrast with blood vessels of the adult cerebral tissue, adult capillaries of the neural lobe and the others neuro-hemal zones were intensely labelled with the anti-laminin antibody. These results suggest that neurite outgrowth and neurite guidance could be promoted by L1 and laminin in the neurointermediate lobe. The "intercellular tunnels" could also be an important guidance cue for migrating cells in the intermediate lobe. These data also demonstrate that melanotrophic cells. secreting the laminin, have a role in the ontogenesis of the gland. Finally, we suggest that L1 and laminin can collaborate to reinforce "neurons-capillaries" interactions in neurohemal zones.

Animals↗

The neural cell adhesion molecule in synaptic plasticity and ageing.

By mediating cell adhesion and signal transduction, the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) regulates neurite outgrowth, fasciculation and target recognition in the developing nervous system. In addition, a number of studies suggest an important role for the NCAM in regeneration and learning in the adult nervous system. NCAM-deficient mice are impaired in spatial learning. Moreover, by interfering with normal NCAM function by intracranial injections of NCAM-antibodies, long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal slices and learning in rats and chicks have been inhibited. In the vertebrate nervous system, NCAM is the dominant carrier of polysialic acid (PSA), an unusual carbohydrate consisting of long homopolymers of sialic acid. The PSA-NCAM expression decreases markedly during development. However, an upregulation of polysialic acid (PSA) in restricted brain areas including the hippocampus has been observed following learning. Moreover, enzymatic removal of PSA results in impaired LTP and learning. In muscle, the PSA-NCAM expression is upregulated following denervation. This response is weakened in aging rats. The expression of NCAM and PSA have been shown to be regulated by neuronal activity suggesting that the NCAM may promote structural remodelling in an activity dependent manner associated with learning and regeneration.

Aging↗

PSA-NCAM: an important regulator of hippocampal plasticity.

The Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM) serves as a temporally and spatially regulated modulator of a variety of cell-cell interactions. This review summarizes recent results of studies aimed at understanding its regulation of expression and biological function, thereby focussing on its polysialylated isoforms (PSA-NCAM). The detailed analysis of the expression of PSA and NCAM in the hippocampal mossy fiber system and the morphological consequences of PSA-NCAM deficiency in mice support the notion that the levels of expression of NCAM are important not only for the regulation and maintenance of structural changes, such as migration, axonal growth and fasciculation, but also for activity-induced plasticity. There is evidence that PSA-NCAM can specifically contribute to a presynaptic form of plasticity, namely long-term potentiation at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses. This is consistent with previous observations that NCAM-deficient mice show deficits in spatial learning and exploratory behavior. Furthermore, our data points to an important role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is the principle adaptive response of the organism to environmental challenges, in the control of PSA-NCAM expression in the hippocampal formation. In particular, we evidence an inhibitory influence of corticosterone on PSA-NCAM expression.

Animals↗

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.

Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is an autosomal codominant genetic disease of horses who are descendants of the quarter horse sire Impressive. It produces a muscular phenotype that has been selected by show judges, which has resulted in the rapid dissemination of this disease. Clinical attacks are characterized by muscle fasciculation and spasm, and they respond to treatments for the concurrent hyperkalemia.

Animals↗