The Role of Gpr126 in Myelin Maintenance and Regeneration in the Peripheral Nervous System
Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2015
Author's School
Arts & Sciences
Author's Department/Program
Biology
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Abstract
Myelin is a multilayered insulating membrane that allows rapid propagation of electrical signals and provides neurotrophic and cellular support to axons. Specialized glial cells called oligodendrocytes synthesize myelin in the central nervous system (CNS), while Schwann cells myelinate axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Irregular myelin formation or myelin degeneration leads to debilitating diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) in the CNS and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease in the PNS. However, the molecular mechanisms behind myelin maintenance or regeneration after injury or disease are not well understood. Adhesion G Protein- Coupled Receptors (aGPCRs) are a unique class of GPCRs, in that they have a large extracellular N-terminus containing domains that may be responsible for cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions, as well as the classic 7TM domain involved in signaling. Previous studies have shown the necessity of the aGPCR Gpr126 for normal Schwann cell growth and myelin formation during both mice and zebrafish PNS development (Monk et al., 2009, 2011).
Language
English (en)
Advisor/Committee Chair
Dr. Kelly Monk
Advisor/Committee Chair's Department
Department of Developmental Biology
Second Advisor
Dr. Amit Mogha
Second Advisor's Department
Department of Developmental Biology
Third Advisor
Dr. Kathryn Miller
Third Advisor's Department
Department of Biology
Recommended Citation
Joseph, Jessica A., "The Role of Gpr126 in Myelin Maintenance and Regeneration in the Peripheral Nervous System" (2015). Undergraduate Theses—Unrestricted. 30.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/undergrad_open/30