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J.Health Sci., 46(3), 178-181, 2000
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A Neuron-Specific Isoform of Brain Ankyrin, 440 kD AnkyrinB, As a Useful Tool in Neurobiology and Neurotoxicology
Manabu Kunimoto*
Regional Environment Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16 -2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305 -0053, Japan
Two isoforms of brain ankyrin, 440 kD and 220 kD ankyrinB, are generated from the same gene by alternative splicing of pre-mRNA. The larger isoform shares the same NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal domains as the smaller isoform and contains, in addition, a unique inserted domain of about 220 kD in size. Both isoforms were expressed in primary neurons in a manner similar to that in vivo ; the larger isoform appeared first when axogenesis is actively conducted and the smaller isoform appeared later. 440 kD ankyrinB was localized in the axons of neurons both in vivo and in vitro, while the 220 kD isoform was rather localized in the cell bodies and dendrites of neurons. The expression of 440 kD ankyrinB is intimately associated not only with neurite outgrowth but also with neurite retraction in neuronal cells, and is regulated at the mRNA level. Therefore, 440 kD ankyrinB is a specific and useful marker for neuritogenesis and is also a useful tool for investigating the effects of neurotoxic substances like methylmercury on the developing nervous system.
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