Biosynthesis and Signaling of Glucocorticoids and Progestins and Their Effects on Myelin Synthesis in Schwann Cell/neuronal Co-Cultures

The myelin sheath is a specialized membrane in the nervous system that facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses in a fast and efficient manner. Steroids hormones can be synthesized de novo in the nervous system. The major objective of this research was to identify the steroid signal transduction pathways between neurons and Schwann cells that regulate the steps in myelin formation. Schwann cell/neuronal co-cultures were used to study myelin synthesis in the peripheral nervous system. Progesterone and glucocorticoids were found to increase the rate of myelin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Both steroids increased the expression levels of myelin glycoprotein Po and the number of myelin internodes in treated co-cultures. It was discovered that Schwann cell/neuronal co-cultures synthesize many different steroids. When [7-3H] pregnenolone and [1,2-3H] deoxycorticosterone were added to the co-cultures these precursors were converted to several steroid metabolites. The expression of the major steroidogenic enzymes were determined in the co-cultures. The spatial and temporal expression of the progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors were also determined in the co-cultures. Steroid biosynthesis and the expression of steroid receptors in Schwann cell/neuronal co-cultures suggest that steroid hormones are potential regulators of myelin synthesis in the peripheral nervous system.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biochemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Rodriguez-Waitkus, Paul M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Glaser, Michael

• Biology, Neuroscience

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3160945

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/84809