Myosin Light Chain Kinase Inhibitors Induce Retraction of Mature Oligodendrocyte Processes

THOMAS, MG; SANTA COLMA, T; CORREALE, J; BOCCACCIO, G.L.

NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH

Año: 2002 vol. 11 p. 1305 - 1312

0364-3190

Mature oligodendrocytes emit numerous myelinating processes. Force generating molecules are required for process outgrowth and spreading. We have analyzed the effect of the myosin II light chain kinase inhibitors ML-7 and ML-9 in cultured oligodendrocytes. Both drugs affect oligodendrocyte cell shape, provoking a retraction of high order processes. Our results suggest that the adhesion of the myelinating processes to the substrate depends on MLC phosphorylation, thus likely implicating myosin IIA.