Figure 8.

Schematic representation of Schwann cell abaxonal domains and their molecular composition. Appositions are formed by a complex consisting of α-DG, full-length β-DG₄₃, Drp2, and periaxin. In contrast, in Cajal bands, β-DG is cleaved by MMP-2 and MMP-9, α-DG is shed, and the resulting β-DG₃₁ is found with utrophin and Dp116 and in part degraded by the proteasome. Utrophin can bind actin and possibly organizes the Cajal bands cytoskeleton. Linkage to the basal lamina in Cajal bands is ensured by other laminin receptors found in this location, such as α6β4 and α6β1 integrins.