A predominantly glial origin of axonal ribosomes after nerve injury. Issue 8 (25th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Müller, Kerstin; Schnatz, Andrea; Schillner, Miriam; Woertge, Simone; Müller, Christina; von Graevenitz, Ilse; Waisman, Ari; van Minnen, Jan; Vogelaar, Christina F.
• Is Part Of: Glia. Volume 66:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 1591
• Page End: 1610
• Publication Date: 2018-03-25
• Subjects: axon -- ribosome -- Schwann cell -- transfer -- transgenic; Neuroglia -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 611.0188
• DOI: 10.1002/glia.23327
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-1491

Abstract

Abstract: Axonal mRNA transport and local protein synthesis are crucial for peripheral axon regeneration. To date, it remains unclear how ribosomes localize to axons. They may be co‐transported with mRNAs or, as suggested by recent studies, transferred from Schwann cells (SC). Here, we generated transgenic "RiboTracker" mice expressing tdTomato‐tagged ribosomal protein L4 in specific cell types when crossed with Cre lines. Two neuronal RiboTracker‐Cre lines displayed extremely low levels of axonal L4‐tdTomato‐positive ribosomes. In contrast, two glial RiboTracker‐Cre lines revealed tagged ribosomes in sciatic nerve (SN) axons with increasing amounts after injury. Furthermore, non‐RiboTracker dorsal root ganglia co‐cultured with L4‐tdTomato‐expressing SCs displayed tagged ribosomes in axons. These data provide unequivocal evidence that SN axons receive ribosomes from SCs upon injury and indicate that glial cells are the main source of axonal ribosomes. Main Points: The "RiboTracker" mouse allows in vivo tracking of the origin of axonal ribosomes. Ribosomes are transferred from Schwann cells to axons in culture. Sciatic nerve injury increases axonal localization of predominantly Schwann cell‐derived ribosomes.