Overexpression of c-Jun in mouse Schwann cells of uninjured nerves

Two mouse lines, OE/+ and OE/OE were generated expressing graded elevation (6 fold and 28 fold, respectively) of c-Jun protein selectively in Schwann cells. The effects of this on global gene expression and cellular structure in uninjured nerves was analysed during development and in the adult. Changes in gene expression and cellular arrangements were mild but detectable in c-Jun OE/+ mice, while nerves in c-Jun OE/OE mice showed obvious de-myelination and gene expression changes, including up- and down-regulation of genes previously shown to be controlled by c-Jun in Schwann cells.