Detailseite
Projekt
Oligodendrocytes and axon interaction
Antragsteller
Professor Dr. Mikael Jakob Simons
Fachliche Zuordnung
Entwicklungsbiologie
Förderung
Förderung von 2011 bis 2019
Projektkennung
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 200509276
The formation of myelin in the central nervous system is a multi-step process that involves coordinated cell-cell interactions and dramatic changes in plasma membrane architecture. First, oligodendrocytes send our numerous processes that interact with the target axons. After this decision is made, the process of the oligodendrocyte is converted into a flat sheath that spreads and winds along and around its associated axon to generate a multilayered membrane stack. In this proposal we plan to identify the adhesion molecules that are required for oligodendrocytes to recognize the target axon. In addition, we will address how oligodendrocytes generate flat membrane sheets and how they move these sheets around the axon. We propose that loss in membrane tension in oligodendrocytes together with the adhesive properties of the axon drive the flattening of the myelin membrane. We plan to explore the role of the actin cytoskeleton in this process. We propose a dual role of actin: Whereas the polymerizing forces of actin are used to drive the wrapping of the myelin sheath, filamentous actin disassembly is required to promote the stable adhesion of myelin to the substrate. In summary, the proposal is interdisciplinary, aiming at combining biophysical concepts with membrane biology to gain insight into how a complex membrane architecture is generated. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying these events is a prerequisite for the design of novel myelin repair strategies in de- and dysmyelinating diseases.
DFG-Verfahren
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