The role of lipid-raft-associated cell adhesion molecules, tyrosine kinases and associated cytoskeleton in polarity of myelinating oligodendrocytes

• Applicant: Professorin Jacqueline Trotter, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2001 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5331300

The aim of the project is to define the role of lipid-protein complexes or "rafts", which act as sorting and signalling platforms, in the establishment and maintenance of the polarity of myelinating glial cells. We will focus on the interaction between raft-associated adhesion molecules, signalling molecules, and cytoskeletal elements, which are established during initial contact of axons and glial cells. In particular the role of the cytoskeleton associated with oligodendrocyte rafts in inducing process outgrowth necessary for axonal wrapping will be investigated. In addition we will characterise rafts in Schwannn cells (SC) and pay particular attention to the presence of Srcfamily kinases, the L1-cell adhesion molecule, integrins and cytoskeletal components. Finally, we plan to analyse the dynamic behaviour of the cytoskeleton in oligodendrocytes and SC using Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein-labelled cytoskeletal components and analyse the effect of inhibiting raft-cytoskeleton-association on process outgrowth and axonal contact.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1111: Cell Polarity