Abstract
The neural recognition molecules L1 and N-CAM have been shown to be preferentially localized at sites of Schwann cell-to-neurite and Schwann cell-to-Schwann cell contact in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the restricted expression of these molecules at the Schwann cell surface, focusing on the possible role of actin filaments. Co-cultures consisting of Schwann cells from newborn mice and explants of dorsal root ganglia from chicken embryos were maintained in the absence or presence of cytochalasin D, an agent disrupting actin filaments. Immunoelectron microscopy with mouse-specific antibodies was carried out to quantify the restricted localization of L1 and N-CAM at the Schwann cell surface in contact with neurites. After 2 days of co-culturing in the absence of cytochalasin D, approximately 65% of the cell–cell contacts showed a restricted immunoreactivity for L1 and N-CAM. The accumulation of L1 at contact sites was unchanged in cytochalasin D-treated co-cultures, while the agent strongly reduced the restricted localization of N-CAM to 20% of all cell–cell contacts. The disruption of N-CAM accumulation appeared to be rapid and occurred within 5 h of cytochalasin D treatment. These results indicate that the restricted localization of N-CAM, but not of L1, is sensitive to cytochalasin D treatment, suggesting a dependence on the integrity of the actin network. Thus, different mechanisms may regulate the subcellular distribution of cell adhesion molecules in Schwann cells.