The present study demonstrates that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is released from Schwann cells through lysosomal exocytosis during Wallerian degeneration and in response to stimulation. In primary Schwann cell cultures, ATP was stored in lysosomal vesicles. ATP could then induce Ca(2+)-dependent lysosomal exocytosis. Among three stimulants of lysosomal exocytosis (glutamate, NH(4)Cl and zymosa...

The molecular triggers for axon degeneration remain unknown. We identify endogenous Nmnat2 as a labile axon survival factor whose constant replenishment by anterograde axonal transport is a limiting factor for axon survival. Specific depletion of Nmnat2 is sufficient to induce Wallerian-like degeneration of uninjured axons which endogenous Nmnat1 and Nmnat3 cannot prevent. Nmnat2 is by far the ...

Axonal degeneration is an early and important component of many neurological disorders. Overexpression of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (Nmnat), a component of the slow Wallerian degeneration (Wld(s)) protein, protects axons from a variety of insults. We found that transduction of Nmnat protein into severed axons via virus-like particles prevented axonal degeneration. The post...