Differential regulation of transcripts for dystrophin isoforms, dystroglycan, and alpha 3AChR subunit in mouse sympathetic ganglia following postganglionic nerve crush

Previous data suggest that in mouse superior cervical ganglion (SCG) the dy strophin-dystroglycan complex may be involved in the axotomy-induced intrag anglionic synapse remodeling. Here we analyzed the levels of mRNAs encoding dystrophins, dystroglycan (Dg), and the alpha3 subunit of the nicotinic ac etylcholine receptor (alpha 3AChR) in mouse SCG at various postaxotomy inte rvals. We found that axotomy downregulates the levels of transcripts for mo lecules related to synaptic transmission (alpha 3AChR) and those presumably involved in postsynaptic apparatus organization (dystrophin isoforms) and upregulates the transcript encoding Dig, which, by binding dystrophin, brid ges the actin cytoskeleton and several extracellular matrix proteins and ma y thus be involved in postaxotomy neuronal recovery. The observed transcrip tional modulation of the components of dystrophin-dystroglycan complexes in dicates their involvement in injury-induced neuronal plasticity and suggest s a role in other forms of plasticity such as those required in learning an d memory, functions often impaired in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. (C) 2001 Academic Press.