Publication Date: 2010 Mar 17 PMID: 20237282Authors: Ozcelik, M. - Cotter, L. - Jacob, C. - Pereira, J. A. - Relvas, J. B. - Suter, U. - Tricaud, N.Journal: J NeurosciDiameter, organization, and length of the myelin sheath are important determinants of the nerve conduction velocity, but the basic molecular mechanisms that control these parameters are only partially understood. Cell polarization is an essential feature of differentiated cells, and relies on a set of evolutionarily conserved cell polarity proteins. We investigated the molecular nature of myelin sheath polarization in connection with the functional role of the cell polarity protein pals1 (Protein Associated with Lin Seven 1) during peripheral nerve myelin sheath extension. We found that, in regard to epithelial polarity, the Schwann cell outer abaxonal domain represents a basolateral-like domain, while the inner adaxonal domain and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures form an apical-like domain. Silencing of pals1 in myelinating Schwann cells in vivo resulted in a severe reduction of myelin sheath thickness and length. Except for some infoldings, the structure of compact myelin was not fundamentally affected, but cells produced less myelin turns. In addition, pals1 is required for the normal polarized localization of the vesicular markers sec8 and syntaxin4, and for the distribution of E-cadherin and myelin proteins PMP22 and MAG at the plasma membrane. Our data show that the polarity protein pals1 plays an essential role in the radial and longitudinal extension of the myelin sheath, likely involving a functional role in membrane protein trafficking. We conclude that regulation of epithelial-like polarization is a critical determinant of myelin sheath structure and function.post to: CiteULike

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My friend Jeff Pulver commandeered a room on the 4th floor at SXSW and had several people who he has met around the world present what they believed were success stories about the Twitter service.  This goes hand in hand with the 140 Conferences that he is throwing around the world.  One such speaker, Bowen Payson, was from the airline Virgin America that has been using Twitter to outreach to their customers.

Bowen began his session by speaking about the differences in their airline from a physical experience.  From the black leather Recaro seats, to the mood lighting.  Their on-demand in flight entertainment is just as high tech as their communication strategy.  The Twitter story began without a strategy and unfolded and matured into more than
60,000 followers as I write this.  Their main social contact, Nick Schwartz is the voice of the airline and loves social networking, partially because of his age.  They try to keep a consumer centric voice and mind set, and work to make the experience better incrementally.

Continue reading SXSW 2010: Twitter and an Airline: A story

Tags: bowen payson, free wi-fi, google, jeff pulver, sxsw, sxsw 2010, sxswi, sxswi 2010, twitter, virgin america, wi-fi, wifi,

SXSW 2010: Twitter and an Airline: A story originally appeared on Gear Live on Fri, March 19, 2010 - 10:49:59