Articles

  • the Korean Society for Brain and Neural Sciences

Article

Review Article

Exp Neurobiol 2014; 23(2): 130-137

Published online June 30, 2014

https://doi.org/10.5607/en.2014.23.2.130

© The Korean Society for Brain and Neural Sciences

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase Family Proteins and c-jun Signaling in Injury-induced Schwann Cell Plasticity

Hye Jeong Lee1, Yoon Kyung Shin2 and Hwan Tae Park2*

Departments of 1Pharmacology and 2Physiology, Mitochondria Hub Regulation Center (MHRC), College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 602-714, Korea

Correspondence to: *To whom correspondence should be addressed.
TEL: 82-51-240-2636, FAX: 82-51-247-3318
e-mail: phwantae@dau.ac.kr

Received: April 23, 2014; Revised: May 21, 2014; Accepted: May 21, 2014

Abstract

Schwann cells (SCs) in the peripheral nerves myelinate axons during postnatal development to allow saltatory conduction of nerve impulses. Well-organized structures of myelin sheathes are maintained throughout life unless nerves are insulted. After peripheral nerve injury, unidentified signals from injured nerves drive SC dedifferentiation into an immature state. Dedifferentiated SCs participate in axonal regeneration by producing neurotrophic factors and removing degenerating nerve debris. In this review, we focus on the role of mitogen activated protein kinase family proteins (MAP kinases) in SC dedifferentiation. In addition, we will highlight neuregulin 1 and the transcription factor c-jun as upstream and downstream signals for MAP kinases in SC responses to nerve injury.

Keywords: Schwann cell, dedifferentiation, plasticity, nerve injury, mitogen activated protein kinase family proteins, c-jun