Characterization of a novel function of gicerin, a cell adhesion nolecule, in the mature nervous system

1)gicerin基因的特征我们克隆了16kbp的小鼠gicerin基因，并对其进行了序列测定。我们明确了gicerin基因由16个外显子组成，并通过外显子15的选择性剪接产生了两种异构体。接下来，我们确定了gicerin基因的启动子区域，并确定了一个负责生长因子刺激的结构域。2)分析了gicerin在PC12细胞突起促进中的作用。我们阐明了gicerin在PC12细胞中的表达增强了突起的促进作用。3)获得了在神经细胞中结构性表达gicerin的转基因小鼠。为了建立它们，我们引入了带有神经丝启动子的gicerin基因和带有神经丝启动子的GFP。

1) Characterization of gicerin geneWe have isolated 16kbp of mouse gicerin gene and determined the sequence. We clarified that the gicerin gene is organized by 16 exons and two isoforms are generated by an alternative splicing of exon 15. Next we determined the promoter region of gicerin gene and determined a responsible domain for growth factor stimulation. The domain was also confirmed by a gel reterdation assay.2) Analysis of gicerin function in the neurite promotion from PC12 cells.We clarified that increase of gicerin expression in PC 12 cells enhanced neurite promotion.3) Generation of transgenic mouse, which constitutively express gicerin in nerve cellsWe established three lines of transgenic mouse, which express gicerin in nerve cells. In order to establish them, we introduced gicerin cDNA with neurofilament promoter as well as GFP with neurofilament promoter.