Wodarczyk L, Merrill V K, Perry G W
Neuroscience Research Laboratories, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton 33431-6415, USA.
J Neurochem. 1997 Mar;68(3):1114-23. doi: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1997.68031114.x.
We have found that the early response of axotomized rat retinal ganglion cells is characterized by the differential regulation of a number of fast axonally transported proteins. The abundance of 23 radiolabeled fast transported proteins was analyzed at 2 and 5 days after axotomy using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Corresponding changes in retinal GAP-43 mRNA were measured using northern analysis. Within 2 days of injury, > 40% of the transported proteins analyzed, including GAP-43, showed increased labeling above control levels. Approximately 13% of transported proteins decreased below control levels, whereas the remainder did not change. Five days after axotomy, only GAP-43 and another fast transported protein, C3, continued to sustain measurable increased labeling above control levels; all previously elevated proteins appeared to have been down-regulated by this time, which corresponds to the onset of cell death. These differential changes were accompanied by parallel increases in GAP-43 mRNA. These results suggest that the molecular changes within rat retinal ganglion cells are differentially regulated within two stages subsequent to damage, initial regenerative growth followed by cell death.
