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Motility of nerve growth cones (GCs) is regulated by region-specific activities of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). CAM activities could be modified by their localization to detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs), specialized microdomains enriched in signaling molecules. This paper deals with a question of whether DRMs are involved in GC migration stimulated by three CAMs; L1, N-cadherin (Ncad), and β1 integrin. We demonstrate that L1 and Ncad are present in DRMs, whereas β1 integrin is exclusively detected in non-DRMs of neurons and that localization of L1 and Ncad to DRMs is developmentally regulated. GC migration mediated by L1 and Ncad but not by β1 integrin is inhibited after DRM disruption by micro-scale chromophore-assisted laser inactivation (micro-CALI) of GM1 gangliosides or by pharmacological treatments that deplete cellular cholesterol or sphingolipids, essential components for DRMs. Characteristic morphology of GCs induced by L1 and Ncad is also affected by micro-CALlmediated DRM disruption. Micro-CALl within the peripheral domain of GCs, or even within smaller areas such as the filopodia and the lamellipodia, is sufficient to impair their migration. However, micro-CALl within the central domain does not affect GC migration. These results demonstrate the region-specific involvement of DRMs in CAM-dependent GC behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human serum albumin (HSA) microtubes with an interior surface composed of Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) are self-propelled in aqueous H 2 O 2 medium. They can capture cyanine dye and Escherichia coli (E. coli) efficiently. Microtubes were prepared by wet templating synthesis by using a track-etched polycarbonate (PC) membrane with alternate filtrations of aqueous HSA, poly-l-arginine (PLA), and citrate-PtNPs. Subsequent dissolution of the PC template yielded uniform hollow cylinders made of (PLA/HSA) 8 PLA/PtNP stacking layers (1.16±0.02 μm outer diameter, ca. 23 μm length). In aqueous H 2 O 2 media, the soft protein microtubes are self-propelled by jetting O 2 bubbles from the open-end terminus. The effects of H 2 O 2 and surfactant concentrations on the velocity were investigated. The swimming microtube captured cyanine dye in the HSA component of the wall. Addition of an intermediate γ-Fe 3 O 4 layer allowed manipulation of the direction of movement of the tubule by using a magnetic field. Because the exterior surface is positively charged, the bubble-propelled microtubes adsorbed E. coli with high efficiency. The removal ratio of E. coli by a single treatment reached 99 %., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Schwann cell-axon interaction is the hallmark feature of peripheral nerves, yet the intracellular signals underlying this interaction are unknown. Schwann cells extend processes and migrate on developing axons before differentiation, requiring coordinated regulation of the Schwann cell cytoskeleton. Small GTPases of the Rho family, including Rho, Rac, and cell division cycle 42, regulate the actin cytoskeleton. The neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) gene is commonly mutated in schwannomas, Schwann cell tumors that contain cells lacking axon interaction. NF2 is involved in suppression of Rac signaling, and cultured schwannoma cells contain elevated, GTP-bound, active Rac. Despite these previous studies, a causal relationship between Rac activation and the abnormal cellular morphology of schwannoma is unknown. We used fluorescence resonance energy transfer to follow Rac activity in normal human Schwann cells and schwannoma cells during interaction with neurons. Normal Schwann cells elongated processes along neurites under low Rac activity. Schwannoma cells showed high Rac activity at distal regions of the cells and failed to align processes with neurites. Application of a Rac-specific inhibitor, the chemical compound NSC23766, to schwannoma cells restored neuronal interaction. The data support the significance of regulated Rac signaling in mediating Schwann cell-axon interaction and suggest that controlling Rac activity as a possible therapy for schwannomas.