Association of Myosin Va and Schwann cells-derived RNA in mammal myelinated axons, analyzed by immunocytochemistry and confocal FRET microscopy

PDCD4 regulates axonal growth by translational repression of neurite growth-related genes and is modulated during nerve injury responses

Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) protein is a tumor suppressor that inhibits translation through the mTOR-dependent initiation factor EIF4A, but its functional role and mRNA targets in neurons remain largely unknown. Our work identified that PDCD4 is highly expressed in axons and dendrites of CNS and PNS neurons. Using loss- and gain-of-function experiments in cortical and dorsal root ganglia primary neurons, we demonstrated the capacity of PDCD4 to negatively control axonal growth. To explore PDCD4 transcriptome and translatome targets, we used Ribo-seq and uncovered a list of potential targets with known functions as axon/neurite outgrowth regulators. In addition, we observed that PDCD4 can be locally synthesized in adult axons in vivo, and its levels decrease at the site of peripheral nerve injury and before nerve regeneration. Overall, our findings demonstrate that PDCD4 can act as a new regulator of axonal growth via the selective control of translation, providing a target mechanism for axon regeneration and neuronal plasticity processes in neurons.

Association of microtubules and axonal RNA transferred from myelinating Schwann cells in rat sciatic nerve

Transference of RNAs and ribosomes from Schwann cell-to-axon was demonstrated in normal and regenerating peripheral nerves. Previously, we have shown that RNAs transfer is dependent on F-actin cytoskeleton and Myosin Va. Here, we explored the contribution of microtubules to newly synthesized RNAs transport from Schwann cell nuclei up to nodal microvilli in sciatic nerves. Results using immunohistochemistry and quantitative confocal FRET analysis indicate that Schwann cell-derived RNAs co-localize with microtubules in Schwann cell cytoplasm. Additionally, transport of Schwann cell-derived RNAs is nocodazole and colchicine sensitive demonstrating its dependence on microtubule network integrity. Moreover, mRNAs codifying neuron-specific proteins are among Schwann cell newly synthesized RNAs population, and some of them are associated with KIF1B and KIF5B microtubules-based motors.

Calcium triggers the dissociation of myosin-Va from ribosomes in ribonucleoprotein complexes

The sorting of RNAs to specific regions of the cell for local translation represents an important mechanism directing protein distribution and cell compartmentalization. While significant progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms underlying the transport and localization of mRNAs, the mechanisms governing ribosome mobilization are less well understood. Ribosomes present in the cytoplasm of multiple cell types can form ribonucleoprotein complexes that also contain myosin-Va (Myo5a), a processive, actin-dependent molecular motor. Here, we report that Myo5a can be disassociated from ribosomes when ribonucleoprotein complexes are exposed to calcium, both in vitro and in vivo. We suggest that Myo5a may act as a molecular switch able to anchor or release ribosomes from the actin cytoskeleton in response to intracellular signaling.

HAP1 helps to regulate actin-based transport of insulin-containing granules in pancreatic β cells

Huntingtin-associated protein 1 (HAP1) is enriched in neurons and binds to polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin. It consists of two alternatively spliced isoforms, HAP1A and HAP1B, which differ only in their short C-terminal sequences. Both HAP1A and HAP1B have been also detected in pancreatic β cells, where the loss of HAP1 impairs glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Here, we use time-lapse laser scanning confocal microscopy to provide direct evidence that HAP1A, but not HAP1B, co-localizes and co-migrates with insulin-containing vesicles and actin-based myosin Va motor protein in the INS-1 pancreatic β cell line. Knocking down HAP1 expression using small interfering RNA significantly inhibited actin-based transport of insulin vesicles following glucose stimulation. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated interaction between HAP1A, myosin Va, and phogrin, a transmembrane protein in insulin-containing vesicles. Stimulating INS-1 cells with glucose increased the association of HAP1A with myosin Va, while silencing HAP1 expression reduced the association of myosin Va with phogrin after glucose stimulation, without affecting levels of myosin Va or actin. Our results provide real-time evidence in living cells that HAP1 may help regulate transport of insulin-containing secretory granules along cortical actin filaments. This also raises the possibility that HAP1 may play an important role in actin-based secretory vesicle trafficking in neurons.

Gene expression profiling studies in regenerating nerves in a mouse model for CMT1X: uninjured Cx32-knockout peripheral nerves display expression profile of injured wild type nerves

X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT1X) is an inherited peripheral neuropathy caused by mutations in GJB1, the human gene for Connexin32 (Cx32). This present study uses Ilumina Ref8-v2 BeadArray to examine the expression profiles of injured and uninjured sciatic nerves at 5, 7, and 14 days post-crush injury (dpi) from Wild Type (WT) and Cx32-knockout (Cx32KO) mice to identify the genes and signaling pathways that are dysregulated in the absence of Schwann cell Cx32. Given the assumption that loss of Schwann cell Cx32 disrupts the regeneration and maintenance of myelinated nerve leading to a demyelinating neuropathy in CMT1X, we initially hypothesized that nerve crush injury would result in significant increases in differential gene expression in Cx32KO mice relative to WT nerves. However, microarray analysis revealed a striking collapse in the number of differentially expressed genes at 5 and 7 dpi in Cx32KO nerves relative to WT, while uninjured and 14 dpi time points showed large numbers of differentially regulated genes. Further comparisons within each genotype showed limited changes in Cx32KO gene expression following crush injury when compared to uninjured Cx32KO nerves. By contrast, WT nerves exhibited robust changes in gene expression at 5 and 7 dpi with no significant differences in gene expression by 14dpi relative to uninjured WT nerve samples. Taken together, these data suggest that the gene expression profile in uninjured Cx32KO sciatic nerve strongly resembles that of a WT nerve following injury and that loss of Schwann cell Cx32 leads to a basal state of gene expression similar to that of an injured WT nerve. These findings support a role for Cx32 in non-myelinating and regenerating populations of Schwann cells in normal axonal maintenance in re-myelination, and regeneration of peripheral nerve following injury. Disruption of Schwann cell-axonal communication in CMT1X may cause dysregulation of signaling pathways that are essential for the maintenance of intact myelinated peripheral nerves and to establish the necessary conditions for successful regeneration and remyelination following nerve injury.

Concepts for regulation of axon integrity by enwrapping glia

Long axons and their enwrapping glia (EG; Schwann cells (SCs) and oligodendrocytes (OLGs)) form a unique compound structure that serves as conduit for transport of electric and chemical information in the nervous system. The peculiar cytoarchitecture over an enormous length as well as its substantial energetic requirements make this conduit particularly susceptible to detrimental alterations. Degeneration of long axons independent of neuronal cell bodies is observed comparatively early in a range of neurodegenerative conditions as a consequence of abnormalities in SCs and OLGs . This leads to the most relevant disease symptoms and highlights the critical role that these glia have for axon integrity, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The quest to understand why and how axons degenerate is now a crucial frontier in disease-oriented research. This challenge is most likely to lead to significant progress if the inextricable link between axons and their flanking glia in pathological situations is recognized. In this review I compile recent advances in our understanding of the molecular programs governing axon degeneration, and mechanisms of EG’s non-cell autonomous impact on axon-integrity. A particular focus is placed on emerging evidence suggesting that EG nurture long axons by virtue of their intimate association, release of trophic substances, and neurometabolic coupling. The correction of defects in these functions has the potential to stabilize axons in a variety of neuronal diseases in the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system (PNS and CNS).