The role of C-terminal binding protein 2 in Schwann cell differentiation after sciatic nerve crush

J Mol Neurosci. 2013 Mar;49(3):531-8. doi: 10.1007/s12031-012-9916-0. Epub 2012 Nov 9.

Abstract

C-terminal binding protein 2 (CtBP2), as a transcriptional repressor, plays an essential role in development and tumorigenesis. However, its distribution and function in peripheral system lesion and repair are still unknown. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal expression of CtBP2 in rat sciatic nerve crush model. Western blot analysis revealed that CtBP2 was expressed in normal sciatic nerve. It gradually decreased, reached minimal levels at 7 days after crush, and then returned to the normal level at 4 weeks. We observed that CtBP2 is mainly expressed in Schwann cells (SCs). In vitro, we induced SC differentiation via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and found that CtBP2 expression was downregulated during the process of differentiation. CtBP2-specific siRNA inhibited the cAMP-induced expression of the immature SC marker P75(NTR), and exogenous CtBP2 expression upregulated the expression of P75(NTR). Taken together, we hypothesized that peripheral nerve crush-induced downregulation of CtBP2 in the sciatic nerve was associated with SC differentiation, and CtBP2 likely played an important role in peripheral nerve injury and regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclic AMP / pharmacology
  • Eye Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Eye Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Eye Proteins / genetics
  • Eye Proteins / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Male
  • Nerve Crush*
  • Nerve Regeneration / genetics
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-6 / biosynthesis
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-6 / genetics
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / genetics
  • Schwann Cells / metabolism*
  • Schwann Cells / pathology
  • Sciatic Nerve / injuries*
  • Sciatic Nerve / physiology

Substances

  • Ctbp2 protein, rat
  • Eye Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Growth Factor
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-6
  • Ngfr protein, rat
  • Cyclic AMP