Mammalian central nervous system axolemma: histochemical evidence for axonal plasma membrane origin of bovine and rat axolemma-enriched membrane fractions

Role of axonal components during myelination

Myelination is a multistep ordered process whereby Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS), produce and extend membranous processes that envelop axons. Mechanisms that regulate this complex process are not well understood. Advances in deciphering the regulatory components of myelination have been carried out primarily in the PNS and although the mechanisms for triggering and directing myelination are not known, it is well established that myelination does not occur in the absence of axons or axon/neuron-derived factors. This appears to be true both in PNS and CNS. Progress in understanding CNS myelinogenesis has been relatively slow because of the unavailability of a suitable culture system, which, in turn, is partly due to complexity in the cellular organization of the CNS. Though the myelin composition differs between PNS and CNS, the regulation of myelination seems to parallel rather than differ between these two systems. This article reviews the regulatory role of axonal components during myelination. The first half consists of an overview of in vitro and in vivo studies carried out in the nervous system. The second half discusses the use of a cerebellar slice culture system and generation of anti-axolemma monoclonal antibodies to investigate the role of axonal membrane components that participate in myelination. It also describes the characterization of an axonal protein involved in myelination.

Isolation and characterization of axolemma-enriched fractions from rabbit and bovine peripheral nerve

Axolemma-enriched fractions were isolated from bovine spinal accessory nerves, bovine intradural dorsal roots, and rabbit sciatic nerve by differential centrifugation and separation on a linear 10-40% sucrose (w/w) gradient. The fractions were enriched 4 to 10 fold in acetylcholinesterase, a biochemical marker for axolemma. Axolemma-enriched fractions isolated from uniformly well-myelinated fibers (bovine spinal accessory nerve) contained lower CNPase activity and higher acetylcholinesterase activity than comparable fractions isolated from variably myelinated fibers (rabbit sciatic nerve and bovine intradural roots). Separation by polyacrylamide electrophoresis showed that the molecular weight distribution of all peripheral nerve axolemma-enriched fractions was similar and ranged from 20 to over 150 kilodaltons. All axolemma-enriched fractions appeared to contain a small but variable amount of myelin-specific proteins. Based on biochemical properties, peripheral nerves containing uniformly well-myelinated fibers yield an axolemma-enriched fraction which is least contaminated with myelin-related membranes.

Properties of acetylcholinesterase in axolemma-enriched fractions isolated from bovine splenic nerve

The properties of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in axolemma-enriched fractions (AEF) from bovine splenic nerve were investigated to see if they differed in any way from those of the AChE in diaphragm muscle. The axolemmal enzyme had a low Km for acetylthiocholine (ca. 90 microM), exhibited substrate inhibition, and had a well-defined optimum of substrate concentration of 1 mM. The rate of hydrolysis of substrate decreased with increasing acyl chain length (acetyl- greater than propionyl- greater than butyryl-). The AChE inhibitors eserine and hexamethonium were competitive inhibitors of the membrane-bound enzyme, whereas lidocaine was a noncompetitive inhibitor; these results were comparable to the effect of these inhibitors on diaphragm muscle AChE. The axolemmal enzyme was more efficiently solubilized and more stable in nonionic detergents such as Triton X-100 and Tween 20 than charged detergents such as lysolecithin and zwitterionic detergents. These results indicate that the AChE present in bovine splenic nerve AEF is identical to the previously characterized AChE from other sources.

Identification and isolation of an axonal plasma membrane enriched fraction from cerebellar granule cell neurites

A procedure is described to isolate a fraction enriched in cerebellar granule cell neuritic membranes. Morphological markers that are specific for either the granule cell perikarya or neuritic membranes have been identified. Concanavalin A (Con A) has been shown to bind predominantly to the granule cell neurites whereas, the enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and 2',3',cyclic nucleotide-3'-phosphohydrolase (CNPase) are localized predominantly in the neuronal cell bodies. The membrane fraction enriched in Con A binding has been used to generate a monoclonal antibody which morphologically recognized the cerebellar granule cell neuritic membrane. Following fractionation of the granule cells, each marker was used to identify the cellular origin of the fractions. The neuritic markers Con A and the neuritic membrane antibody MR2 bound predominantly to membranes found in the 29.1% and 31.5% region of the sucrose gradient. The perikaryal markers, CNPase and AChE activity were most enriched in membrane fractions found at a sucrose concentration of 23% and 21%, respectively. Morphological examination of the neuritic enriched fraction shows that it contains predominantly membranous material with few subcellular organelles. The protein profiles of the cerebellar granule cell fractions are unique when compared with the protein profiles of other neuronal and non-neuronal fractions. The membrane fraction isolated from the cerebellar granule cells should prove useful in furthering our understanding of the axonal influence on glial development.

Isolation and characterization of axolemma-enriched fractions from discrete areas of bovine CNS

Myelinated axons were isolated by flotation from bovine pons, middle cerebellar peduncle, cervical spinal cord and three regions of the subcortical white matter. The myelinated axons were osmotically and mechanically shocked, followed by fractionation on a linear 15% sucrose to 45% sucrose density gradient. Axolemma-enriched fractions (AEF) found in the 28% to 32% sucrose region of the gradient from brainstem and cord white matter had high acetylcholinesterase (AChE) while little or nil AChE activity was found in corresponding AEF derived from the subcortical white matter. Morphologically, the subcortical white matter from all regions contained a heterogeneous population of well-myelinated to thinly myelinated axons, while brainstem and cord regions contained a more homogeneous population of well-myelinated axons. Histochemical analysis of AChE localized this enzyme to axonal elements. The AEF derived from any white matter source had similar polypeptide compositions. AEF derived from subcortical white matter contained two-fold more myelin basic protein and a three-fold greater content of 2' 3' cyclic nucleotide 3' phosphodiesterase (CNP) compared with AEF derived from well myelinated white matter. We conclude that the purity of the AEF is related to the degree of myelination of the white matter from which the AEF is derived. Homogeneously well myelinated white matter (pons, cerebellar peduncle, cervical spinal cord) yields the highest purity AEF, as judged by the low CNP and myelin basic protein content and highest enrichment in AChE specific activity.

Occurrence of phospholipase A1-A2 and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase activities in axolemma-enriched fractions of brain stem, optic pathway, and cranio-spinal nerves of the rabbit

An axolemma-enriched fraction was isolated and characterized from homogenates of brain stem, pooled optic nerve and tract, and sciatic and hypoglossal nerves of adult rabbits. In these fractions, the phospholipase A1 and A2, as well as the activity of acyl-CoA:1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine and acyl-CoA:2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine acetyl transferase, using 1-acyl- and 2-acyl-GPC as acyl acceptors, were studied. The activity of the four enzymes was clearly detectable in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) axolemmatic preparations, as well as in other subcellular fractions examined. The axolemma fractions, in which acetylcholinesterase displayed the highest activities, were particularly enriched in the acylation reaction enzymes. These latter showed specific activities about twofold higher compared with those of the homogenates and significant correlation with acetylcholinesterase. The noticeable presence of these enzyme activities in both CNS and PNS axolemma suggests that a deacylation-reacylation system for phospholipids may be operative in this membrane.

Subcellular localization of sulfated glucuronic acid-containing glycolipids reacting with anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein antibody

Peripheral nerve glycolipids, with which anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibodies from patients with demyelinating neuropathy and plasma cell dyscrasia cross-react, proved to be novel glycosphingolipids containing a sulfated glucuronyl residue. Consequently, there has been much interest in the immunological role that these sulfated glucuronyl-glycosphingolipids (SGGLs) may play in the pathogenesis of this disorder. For the determination of the distribution of these glycolipids in various nervous tissues and, thereby, the elucidation of their pathogenicity, a quantitative immunostaining-TLC method for their detection has been devised. Using this method, we demonstrated that these glycolipids were distributed in greatly different amounts in the peripheral nerves from human, bovine, chicken, rat, and rabbit. Subcellular localization studies of bovine peripheral nerve also demonstrated that they were enriched in the axolemma-enriched fraction and present in glial-related membranes in lower concentrations. In addition, these glycolipids were present in bovine dura mater and transformed rat Schwann cells. These biochemical results suggest that not only myelin but also axons could be involved as targets of the anti-MAG antibody in macroglobulinemia neuropathy, and it may also be necessary to examine anti-SGGL activity in patients with axonal neuropathy associated with plasma cell dyscrasia.

Presence of phospholipid-N-methyltransferases and base-exchange enzymes in rat central nervous system axolemma-enriched fractions

Rat CNS myelinated axons were fractionated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation with a zonal rotor. Fraction VI, obtained at 28-30% sucrose, appeared, on the basis of the presence of related marker enzymes, to be enriched in axolemma. Phospholipid-N-methyltransferases (PMTs) and base-exchange enzymes were associated with fraction VI. PMT activity was significantly stimulated by the addition of either phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine or phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine but the PMT activity of the homogenate or the myelinated axons was unresponsive. Recoveries of the ethanolamine, serine, and choline base-exchange activities were 14.4%, 13.8%, and 3.4%, respectively, of that present in the myelinated axons. The myelin-rich fraction obtained simultaneously seems contaminated with other membrane fractions.

Identification of an axolemma-enriched fraction from peripheral nerve

A method has been devised for the fractionation of whole peripheral nerve. The procedure utilizes differential centrifugation and separation on a linear sucrose gradient (10-40%, wt/wt). A membrane fraction localized between 26% and 29% sucrose was not only enriched for the plasma membrane markers, 5'-nucleotidase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), but also possessed the highest binding of [3H]saxitoxin, a specific marker for sodium channels. Neurons in the lumbar dorsal roots and ventral horns of rats were injected with [3H]fucose to label glycoproteins associated with the axolemma from sciatic nerve. Fractionation of the labeled nerves demonstrated a coincidence in the distribution of [3H]fucose-labeled material and AChE activity in the sucrose density gradient. The increase in the specific activity of marker enzymes for plasma membrane, sodium channels, and labeled membrane, previously demonstrated to be of axolemmal origin, identified the 26-29% region of the sucrose gradient as enriched for axolemma derived from peripheral nerve.

The presence of phospholipase D in rat central nervous system axolemma

An axolemma-enriched fraction prepared from a purified myelinated axon fraction isolated from rat CNS was found to contain phospholipase D at a specific activity similar to that of a microsomal fraction isolated from whole brain. There was a concomitant threefold enrichment in the specific activity of phospholipase D and acetylcholinesterase in the axolemma-enriched fraction compared with the specific activities of these enzymes in the starting white matter whole homogenate. This axonal phospholipase D may be involved in remodeling of phospholipid, which in turn may affect axonal functions such as ion translocation.

Mitogenicity of brain axolemma membranes and soluble factors for dorsal root ganglion Schwann cells

Previous studies in this laboratory have shown that membranes derived from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurites are mitogenic for cultured Schwann cells derived from the same source [Salzer et al (1980): J Cell Biol 84:767-778]. Improved procedures are described for preparing Schwann cells derived from dorsal root ganglia that are highly responsive to various mitogens. Under these conditions, the cells respond not only to the neurite mitogen but also to pituitary extracts, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and cholera toxin that have been shown previously to be good mitogens for Schwann cells derived from sciatic nerve [Raff et al (1978): Cell 15:813-822], thus reconciling discrepancies in the response of these different Schwann cell preparations to mitogens. Searching for a source of membranes more suitable for biochemical characterization of the neurite mitogen, we found that bovine brain axolemma, prepared by the method of DeVries et al [(1977):Brain Res 147:339-352] is highly mitogenic for Schwann cells. The mitotic index of Schwann cells was increased by the addition of axolemma from 0.5%-2% to 30%-50% during 24-h incubation with [3H]thymidine. Half maximal effect was obtained at about 0.4 microgram axolemma protein per microwell containing 2-4 X 10(3) cells. The axolemma mitogen appears to be an integral membrane protein that remains bound to the membrane under various ionic conditions but can be extracted in a partially active form with deoxycholate. Like the DRG neurite mitogen, the mitogenic activity of axolemma was abolished by trypsin treatment. Unlike the neurite preparation, however, the mitogenic activity of axolemma was only partially inactivated by heat treatment (60%-70% inactivation). A significant difference between the mitogenic activity of axolemma membranes and neurite membranes is the fact that axolemma membranes fail to stimulate Schwann cell proliferation in a defined, serum-free medium (N-2), whereas neurites show significant mitogenic activity in this medium. These findings indicate a possible difference between DRG neurites and brain axolemma either in the mitogen itself or surface components responsible for recognition between the membranes and the cells.

Freeze-fracture characterization of isolated myelin and axolemma membrane fractions

The macromolecular organization of membranes isolated from the rabbit optic nerve and tract was analyzed using the freeze-fracture technique. A myelin fraction and two axolemma-enriched fractions were prepared from a preparation of myelinated axons isolated by flotation in a buffered salt-sucrose medium. In the myelinated axon preparation, axolemma and myelin membranes were easily identified. Larger areas of the axon membrane and myelin membrane totally lacked intramembranous particles. The particles remaining on the myelin membrane formed patches of evenly distributed elongated and globular particles. In contrast, the particles remaining on the axolemma were globular in shape and tightly clustered. Particle clustering and particle-free areas were not characteristic of either the axolemma or myelin membrane of whole nerves fixed in situ and processed for freeze-fracture. The isolated myelin membrane fraction contained a large number of vesicles completely lacking intramembranous particles. Of the remaining membrane vesicles, profiles with dispersed elongated and globular particles predominated. A small percentage of vesicles displayed intramembranous particles of the same size, shape and clustering pattern as that seen on the axolemma of the myelinated axon preparation. The two axolemma fractions were enriched in membrane containing tightly clustered globular particles. Particle-free vesicles as well as some myelin membrane vesicles were also seen in the axolemma fractions.