| First Author | Feltri ML | Year | 1999 |
| Journal | Ann N Y Acad Sci | Volume | 883 |
| Pages | 116-23 | PubMed ID | 10586237 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:68087 | Mgi Id | MGI:1932028 |
| Citation | Feltri ML, et al. (1999) P0-Cre transgenic mice for inactivation of adhesion molecules in Schwann cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 883:116-23 |
| abstractText | Normal peripheral nerve myelination depends on Schwann cell-basal lamina interactions. An important component of Schwann cell basal lamina is laminin--predominantly laminins 2 and 4. Mutations in the alpha 2 chain common to these two isoforms are associated with dysmyelination in mouse (dy) and man (congenital muscular dystrophy). Thus, laminin 2 and 4 receptors are also likely to be important for myelin formation. Several laminin 2/4 receptors are detected at the basal lamina surface of myelin-forming Schwann cells, namely, alpha 6 beta 4 and alpha 6 beta 1 integrins and dystroglycan. The evidence linking these receptors to myelination is suggestive, but not conclusive. Genetic studies have not yet confirmed a role for these molecules in myelin formation. Natural or targeted inactivation of alpha 6, beta 4, and beta 1 integrins and of dystroglycan have profound effects on other tissues causing embryonic or perinatal death before myelination. Therefore, to conditionally inactivate these receptors specifically in myelin-forming Schwann cells, we have constructed and initially characterized a P0-Cre transgene that activates Cre-mediated recombination of loxP-containing genes in peripheral nerve. |
