Pax3: A paired domain gene as a regulator in PNS myelination

Pax3 RNA is expressed in neural crest when Schwann cell (SC) precursors migrate to the PNS. Pax3 RNA and SC markers were monitored in sciatic nerves of mice during development and nerve repair. An inverse correlation was observed between expression of Pax3 RNA and myelin basic protein (MBP). Inverse correlation was also observed in SC primary cultures. Treating cultures with forskolin, an adenylate cyclase agonist, repressed Pax3 RNA, GFAP, NGFR, N-CAM, and L1 and elevated MBP. Subsequent microinjection with Pax3 expression vector elevated Pax3 RNA, GFAP, NGFR, N-CAM, and L1 and repressed MBP. Thus, Pax3 is likely involved in the differentiation pathway to myelinating SCs. Pax3 repressed a 1.3 kb MBP promoter fragment in cotransfection assays, suggesting that it represses MBP transcription.