Developmental expression of OAP-1/Tspan-3, a member of the tetraspanin superfamily

OSP/claudin-11-associated protein (OAP-1/Tspan-3), originally isolated by yeast two-hybrid screening using OSP/claudin-11 (oligodendrocyte-specific protein) as bait, is a member of the tetraspanin superfamily and OAP-1/Tspan-3, OSP/claudin-11, and beta1 integrin forma protein complex that seems to be involved in oligodendrocyte proliferation and migration. This study investigated the temporal and regional expression, glycosylation status, and tissue distribution of OAP-1/Tspan-3. OAP-1/Tspan-3 mRNA was expressed as a single transcript throughout brain development, with high levels of expression in the germinal zones. OAP-1/Tspan-3 protein contains N-terminal glycosylation sites in extracellular loop 2 and deglycosylation studies indicated a decrease in apparent molecular weight of OAP-1/Tspan-3, consistent with removal of N-glycans. Similar to OSP/ claudin-11, OAP-1/Tspan-3 is expressed in all stages of oligodendrocyte development and in the myelin sheath. Unlike OSP/claudin-11, however, it is expressed in all cell types tested in the central nervous system (CNS), including neurons and astrocytes. The association of OAP-1/Tspan-3 with OSP/claudin-11 and beta1 integrin, its subcellular distribution as a cell surface, membrane-spanning glycoprotein, and its widespread distribution supports its potential role in cell migration, proliferation, and interactions between cells and extracellular matrix. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.