Protein synthesis and rapid axonal transport during regrowth of dorsal root axons

Abstract

Damage to the sciatic nerve produces significant changes in the relative synthesis rates of some proteins in dorsal root ganglia and in the amounts of some fast axonally transported proteins in both the sciatic nerve and dorsal roots. We have now analyzed protein synthesis and axonal transport after cutting the other branch of dorsal root ganglia neurons, the dorsal roots. Two to three weeks after cutting the dorsal roots, [35S]methionine was used to label proteins in the dorsal root ganglia in vitro. Proteins synthesized in the dorsal root ganglia and transported along the sciatic nerve were analyzed on two-dimensional gels. All of the proteins previously observed to change after sciatic nerve damage were included in this study. No significant changes in proteins synthesized in dorsal root ganglia or rapidly transported along the sciatic nerve were detected. Axon regrowth from cut dorsal roots was observed by light and electron microscopy. Either the response to dorsal root damage is too small to be detected by our methods or changes in protein synthesis and fast axonal transport are not necessary for axon regrowth. When such changes do occur they may still aid in regrowth or be necessary for later stages in regeneration.