hide
Free keywords:
-
Abstract:
Differentiation of oligodendrocytes is associated with dramatic changes in plasma membrane structure, culminating in the formation of
myelin membrane sheaths. Previous results have provided evidence that regulation of endocytosismayrepresent a mechanism to control
myelin membrane growth. Immature oligodendrocytes have a high rate of clathrin-independent endocytosis for the transport of membrane
to late endosomes/lysosomes (LE/Ls). After maturation and receiving signals from neurons, endocytosis is reduced and transport
of membrane from LE/Ls to the plasma membrane is triggered. Here, we show that changes in Rho GTPase activity are responsible for
switching between these two modes of membrane transport. Strikingly, Rho inactivation did not only reduce the transport of cargo to
LE/L but also increased the dynamics of LE/L vesicles. Furthermore, we provide evidence that Rho inactivation results in the condensation
of the plasma membrane in a polarized manner. In summary, our data reveal a novel role of Rho: to regulate the flow of membrane
and to promote changes in cell surface structure and polarity in oligodendroglial cells. We suggest that Rho inactivation is required to
trigger plasma membrane specialization in oligodendrocytes.
