The Ras/Raf/ERK signalling pathway drives Schwann cell dedifferentiation.

ABSTRACT: Schwann cells are a regenerative cell type. Following nerve injury, a differentiated myelinating Schwann cell can dedifferentiate and regain the potential to proliferate. These cells then redifferentiate during the repair process. This behaviour is important for successful axonal repair, but the signalling pathways mediating the switch between the two differentiation states remain unclear. Sustained activation of the Ras/Raf/ERK cascade in primary cells results in a cell cycle arrest and has been implicated in the differentiation of certain cell types, in many cases acting to promote differentiation. We therefore investigated its effects on the differentiation state of Schwann cells. Surprisingly, we found that Ras/Raf/ERK signalling drives the dedifferentiation of Schwann cells even in th

SUBMITTER: Harrisingh MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC514926 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature