Int. J. Dev. Biol. 42: 1019 - 1024 (1998)

Vol 42, Issue 7

Special Issue: Stem Cells and Transgenesis

Transgenic studies of peripheral and central glia

Published: 1 October 1998

A Messing

Waisman Center and Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53705-2280, USA. messing@waisman.wisc.edu

Abstract

Transgenic manipulation of gene expression in the nervous system has proven immensely useful for the study of glia. This review focuses on studies of Schwann cell and astrocyte biology and pathology. These studies began with promoter mapping for glial-specific genes (P0 and GFAP), and then progressed to oncogene-induced transformation and toxin-induced cell ablation of glia. For GFAP, an intermediate filament of astrocytes, we have investigated the effects of alterations in gene dosage, both in terms of deficiency or excess of this structural protein. Finally, the utility of green fluorescent protein as a marker for live astrocytes is described.