The kinase C substrate protein B-50 and axonal regeneration

• Published in: Brain research bulletin Vol. 17; no. 6; p. 737
• Main Authors: Verhaagen, J, van Hooff, C O, Edwards, P M, De Graan, P N, Oestreicher, A B, Schotman, P, Jennekens, F G, Gispen, W H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-12-1986
• Subjects: Animals; Female; GAP-43 Protein; Nerve Regeneration; Peripheral Nerves - metabolism; Phosphoproteins - metabolism; Protein Kinase C - metabolism; Radioimmunoassay; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains
• ISSN: 0361-9230
• DOI: 10.1016/0361-9230(86)90084-5

As reported previously the prominent protein kinase C substrate protein B-50 is present in growth cones isolated from fetal rat brain and in outgrowing hippocampal neurites. These findings suggest that B-50 plays a role in axonal growth during development of the nervous system. In the present paper the fate of B-50 is investigated in regenerating rat sciatic nerve. Using affinity-purified anti-B-50 antibodies B-50 levels have been compared in crushed and contralateral intact nerves by means of immunoblotting and radioimmunoassay. B-50 levels in the crushed nerve increased 5.3-fold as compared to non-crushed controls. Furthermore, the cellular localization of B-50 has been assessed by immunohistochemistry. Virtually no B-50 immunoreactivity was seen in control nerves, but bright immunofluorescence appeared in regenerating sprouts. Our data are in line with current evidence from several laboratories that B-50 is a member of a small family of growth-associated proteins and support the hypothesis that B-50 is involved in axonal growth.