Myelination is dependent on complex reciprocal interactions between the Schwann cell (SC) and axon. Recent evidence suggests that the SC-axon interface represents a membrane specialization essential for myelination; however, the manner in which this polarized-apical domain is generated remains a mystery. The cell adhesion molecule @entity21043 is enriched at the SC-axon interface and colocalizes with the polarity protein @entity43138 . The asymmetric localization is induced on SC-SC and SC-axon contact. Knockdown of @entity21043 in SCs cocultured with DRG neurons disrupts @entity43138 localization and delays the @entity17 . However, knockdown or overexpression of neuronal @entity21043 does not influence the distribution of @entity43138 or myelination, suggesting that homotypic interactions between SC and axonal @entity21043 are not essential for the events surrounding myelination. To further investigate the role of @entity21043 , @entity19 displaying SC-specific gene ablation of @entity21043 were generated and characterized. Surprisingly, myelination is only slightly delayed, and @entity19 are viable without any detectable myelination defects. b-Catenin, a downstream effector of @entity21043 , colocalizes and coimmunoprecipitates with @entity21043 on the @entity17 . To determine whether b-catenin mediates compensation on @entity21043 deletion, SC-specific gene ablation of b-catenin was generated and characterized. Consistent with our hypothesis, myelination is more severely delayed than when manipulating @entity21043 alone, but without any @entity17 . Together, our results suggest that @entity21043 interacts with b-catenin in establishing SC polarity and the timely @entity17 , but they are nonessential components for the formation and maturation of the myelin sheath.

Assessing the role of the cadherin/catenin complex at the Schwann cell-axon interface and in the XXXX .

@entity19 :: ('10090', 'Species') :: ['mice'] @entity17 :: ('MESH:D003711', 'Disease') :: ['initiation of myelination', 'defect to the myelin sheath'] @entity43138 :: ('112235(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['Par-3'] @entity21043 :: ('12558(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['N-cadherin']
@entity17 :: (MESH:D003711,Disease) :: ['initiation of myelination']
