Neuropharmacology

Biography

Biography: José R Sotelo

Abstract

The existence of RNA in axons now has been demonstrated after accumulation of abundant experimental evidence hardly to question. Much of the disputes turned now to the origin of these axonal RNAs. The neuronal soma as the source of most axonal RNAs has been demonstrated and is indisputable. However, the surrounding glial cells may be a supplemental source of axonal RNAs, a matter scarcely investigated in the literature. Here, we focus on studies addressing the origin of axonal RNAs and ribosomes and we review the few papers that have demonstrated that glial-to-axon RNA transfer is not only feasible, but likely. We describe this process in both invertebrate axons and vertebrate axons. Court and co-workers conclusively demonstrated that Schwann cell to axon ribosomes transfer exists. Moreover, Glia to axon RNA transfer has been demonstrated in Peripheral axons and from Oligodendroglia to central axons. Recently, mRNA transfer has been demonstrated in a more conclusive way. Regarding this, Ion Torrent massive sequencing of immunoprecipitated Bromo-uridine-mRNAs -Schwann cell synthesized-yielded hundreds of axonal mRNAs i.e., neurofilaments, ankirin, actin, etc. The intercellular transport of mRNA has interesting implications, particularly with respect to the integration of glial and axonal function. This evolving field will certainly impact in the understanding of the cell biology and physiopathology of the axon. Moreover, if axonal protein synthesis can be controlled by the interacting glia, the possibilities for clinical interventions in injury and neurodegeneration are greatly increased.