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Beyond Polarity: Functional Membrane Domains in Astrocytes and Müller Cells

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Abstract

Various ependymoglial cells display varying degrees of process specialization, in particular processes contacting mesenchymal borders (pia, blood vessels, vitreous body), or those lining the ventricular surface. Within the neuropil, glial morphology, cellular contacts, and interaction partners are complex. It appears that glial processes contacting neurons, specific parts of neurons, or mesenchymal or ventricular borders are characterized by specialized membranes. We propose a concept of membrane domains in addition to the existing concept of ependymoglial polarity. Such membrane domains are equipped with certain membrane-bound proteins, enabling them to function in their specific environment. This review focuses on Müller cells and astrocytes and discusses exemplary the localization of established glial markers in membrane domains. We distinguish three functional glial membrane domains based on their typical molecular arrangement. The domain of the endfoot specifically displays the complex of dystrophin-associated proteins, aquaporin 4 and the potassium channel Kir4.1. We show that the domain of microvilli and the peripheral glial process in the Müller cell share the presence of ezrin, as do peripheral astrocyte processes. As a third domain, the Müller cell has peripheral glial processes related to a specific subtype of synapse. Although many details remain to be studied, the idea of glial membrane domains may permit new insights into glial function and pathology.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by the Dr. Senckenbergische Stiftung, Frankfurt/M (AD), by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (PA 615/2-1) to TP, and by the European Union (EFRE) and the Free State of Saxony to JG. We apologize to all those whose work could not be mentioned due to space constraints.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. Senckenbergische Anatomie, Institut für Anatomie II, Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Amin Derouiche

  2. Dr. Senckenbergisches Chronomedizinisches Institut, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Amin Derouiche

  3. Paul-Flechsig-Institut für Hirnforschung, Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Fakultät, Leipzig, Germany

    Thomas Pannicke, Jens Grosche & Andreas Reichenbach

  4. Institute of Cellular Neurosciences, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    Julia Haseleu

  5. Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, Life and Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany

    Sandra Blaess

  6. Institute of Anatomy II, University of Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt/M, Germany

    Amin Derouiche

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  1. Amin Derouiche
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  2. Thomas Pannicke
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  3. Julia Haseleu
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  5. Jens Grosche
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  6. Andreas Reichenbach
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Correspondence to Amin Derouiche.

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Special Issue: In Honor of Leif Hertz.

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Derouiche, A., Pannicke, T., Haseleu, J. et al. Beyond Polarity: Functional Membrane Domains in Astrocytes and Müller Cells. Neurochem Res 37, 2513–2523 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-012-0824-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-012-0824-z

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