Plexin A4 Expression in Adult Rat Cranial Nerves

PlexinA4, a protein involved in nerve signaling, was found in most of the cranial nerves of adult rats. This study provides a detailed map of where PlexinA4 is located within these nerves. The researchers used specific antibodies to detect PlexinA4 in the olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, and hypoglossal nerves. This discovery sets the stage for future research into how PlexinA4 might help with nerve regeneration and repair in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

• 1
  PlexinA4 is expressed in the olfactory nerve, specifically in the olfactory bulb by mitral cells and in axons of the lateral olfactory tract.
• 2
  PlexinA4 is present in the optic nerves, specifically in axons coursing through the optic chiasm, despite not being found in retinal ganglion cells during embryogenesis.
• 3
  PlexinA4 is found in the oculomotor nerve, with labeled axons visible from the oculomotor nuclei through various brain regions to their exit point.