Pathology - Theses

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Characterisation of axon glial interactions in the 2-50 transgenic mouse

MCCOWAN, CHRISTINA ISABEL ( 2006-12)

The 2-50 transgenic mouse is a mutant containing the functional exons of human c-myc, an oncogene and cell cycle controller, under the control of the minimal sequence of the promoter of myelin basic protein, a component of the sheath surrounding axons of neurons. The transgene complex is expressed only in oligodendrocytes during a limited period of neonatal life, and is not detectable in large amounts. The animals suffer significant loss of oligodendrocyte precursor cells prior to myelination and onset of myelin formation is delayed. These animals elaborate only an incomplete myelin sheath in the central nervous system. Quantitative genetic analysis was used to characterize the transgene insertion and optic nerves from transgenic and non-transgenic animals were used for light and election microscopy, for electrophysiological testing and for immunohistochemical studies of glial cell subpopulations and axonal cytoskeletal components.