The elucidation of the mechanisms of cell migration during central nervous system (CNS) development is important to number of issues in neurobiology. Although the phenomenon of neuronal cell migration has been appreciated for more than a century, identification of The molecular components regulating neuronal cell migration is only beginning to emerge. While neurogenesis occurs in a systematic laminar progression, the mechanisms underlying glial cell dispersion within the CNS are not well understood, and the molecules involved in glial cell migration are yet to be elucidated. In the last several years, our appreciation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the CNS has grown. The brain ECM consists of a heterogeneous mixture of glycoconjugates, including the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA). HA regulates the local cellular environment by facilitating permeability and retention of low molecular weight solutes, while excluding other macromolecules. In a number of systems, including the developing CNS, HA has been implicated in cell and tissue specific functions, including the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. HA is the only glycosaminoglycan not covalently associated with core protein; therefore, functions ascribed to HA are likely mediated by proteins which bind HA. We recently identified the gene for a new ECM protein, BEHAB (Brain Enriched HyAluronan-Binding). BEHAB represents the only tissue specific HA-binding protein reported to date. BEHAB mRNA expression is restricted to the CNS. BEHAB mRNA is expressed at high levels when astrocytes proliferate and migrate - during rat brain development, in the reactive gliosis induced by CNS injury and during glioma invasion. These observations have led to the hypothesis we propose to test: that the expression of BEHAB plays a role in regulating astrocyte differentiation and motility in the CNS. Thus far, we have characterized the expression of the BEHAB gene at the mRNA level. The BEHAB cDNA encodes putative secretedHA-binding protein. To ascertain the function of BEHAB, it will be necessary to determine the expression pattern of the extracellular protein product of the BEHAB gene. The first specific aim of this project is to characterize th distribution and regulation of the BEHAB protein during CNS development. BEHAB mRNA is expressed in primary rat astrocyte cultures. However, different levels of BEHAB are expressed by astrocytes derived from different brain areas and from different developmental stages. The second specific aim of this project is to determine how BEHAB expression is regulated. BEHAB mRNA is expressed at high levels during periods of astrocyte cell differentiation and migration. The third specific aim of this project is to test whether BEHAB plays a role in astrocyte differentiation and migration.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29NS035874-02
Application #
2609708
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 2 (NEUB)
Program Officer
Small, Judy A
Project Start
1996-12-12
Project End
2001-11-30
Budget Start
1997-12-01
Budget End
1998-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066811191
City
Burlington
State
VT
Country
United States
Zip Code
05405
Jaworski, Diane M; Beem-Miller, Micah; Lluri, Gentian et al. (2007) Potential regulatory relationship between the nested gene DDC8 and its host gene tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2. Physiol Genomics 28:168-78
Jaworski, Diane M; Soloway, Paul; Caterina, John et al. (2006) Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2)-deficient mice display motor deficits. J Neurobiol 66:82-94
Jaworski, Diane M; Perez-Martinez, Leonor (2006) Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) expression is regulated by multiple neural differentiation signals. J Neurochem 98:234-47
Jaworski, Diane M; Boone, Jason; Caterina, John et al. (2005) Prepulse inhibition and fear-potentiated startle are altered in tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) knockout mice. Brain Res 1051:81-9
Perez-Martinez, Leonor; Jaworski, Diane M (2005) Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 promotes neuronal differentiation by acting as an anti-mitogenic signal. J Neurosci 25:4917-29
Lluri, Gentian; Jaworski, Diane M (2005) Regulation of TIMP-2, MT1-MMP, and MMP-2 expression during C2C12 differentiation. Muscle Nerve 32:492-9
Jaworski, D M (2000) Expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and the PACAP-selective receptor in cultured rat astrocytes, human brain tumors, and in response to acute intracranial injury. Cell Tissue Res 300:219-30
Jaworski, D M (2000) Differential regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase mRNA expression in response to intracranial injury. Glia 30:199-208
Jaworski, D M; Fager, N (2000) Regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (Timp-3) mRNA expression during rat CNS development. J Neurosci Res 61:396-408
Jaworski, D M; Proctor, M D (2000) Developmental regulation of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and PAC(1) receptor mRNA expression in the rat central nervous system. Brain Res Dev Brain Res 120:27-39

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