NGF Signaling Pathway Research Articles

Fraction of C. d. collilineatus venom containing crotapotin protects PC12 cells against MPP + toxicity by activating the NGF-signaling pathway.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease. There is no effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Snake venoms are a cocktail of proteins and peptides with great therapeutic potential and might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Crotapotin is the acid chain of crotoxin, the major component of Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom. PD is characterized by low levels of neurotrophins, and synaptic and axonal degeneration; therefore, neurotrophic compounds might delay the progression of PD. The neurotrophic potential of crotapotin has not been studied yet. We evaluated the neurotrophic potential of crotapotin in untreated PC12 cells, by assessing the induction of neurite outgrowth. The activation of the NGF signaling pathway was investigated through pharmacological inhibition of its main modulators. Additionally, its neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects were evaluated by assessing neurite outgrowth and cell viability in PC12 cells treated with the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium), known to induce Parkinsonism in humans and animal models. Crotapotin induced neuritogenesis in PC12 cells through the NGF-signaling pathway, more specifically, by activating the NGF-selective receptor trkA, and the PI3K/Akt and the MAPK/ERK cascades, which are involved in neuronal survival and differentiation. In addition, crotapotin had no cytotoxic effect and protected PC12 cells against the inhibitory effects of MPP+ on cell viability and differentiation. These findings show, for the first time, that crotapotin has neurotrophic/neuroprotective/neurorestorative potential and might be beneficial in Parkinson's disease. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate the toxicity of crotapotin in other cell models.

Effects of Changyu Daotan Decoction on Depression via Restoration of Mice Hippocampus and Alteration of Expression of Relevant Neurotrophic Factors.

Depression, a sort of common psychological disorder, is a serious hazard to people's health and social progress. Conventional clinical means for this disorder nowadays are mostly chemical medicine treatments accompanied by psychological counseling. Chinese application of using TCM to treat mental diseases like depression could be traced from hundreds of years ago, in comparison to the long-term depression course and the chemical medicine administration demerits like side effects and resistance, traditional Chinese medicines are milder, more lasting, stable and are the optimal choice for perennial depression treatment. This study was committed to making a comprehensive investigation of Changyu Daotan Decoction's efficacy in the depression mice model, and it turned out that the Changyu Daotan Decoction was capable of restoring the hippocampus of the depression mice and altering the expressions of neurotrophic factors (the expressions of β-Catenin, cyclin D1 and in GSK-3β BDNF, GFAP, NGF, and Wnt signaling pathways). Results of metabonomics analysis showed that the contents of GABA, His, Tyr, Trp, PA, and 5-HIAA in the mice of the Changyu Daotan Decoction group were restored after administration and showed a conspicuous relevance with the metabolic.

The Clinical Outcomes and Genomic Landscapes of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients with E2A-PBX1: A 10-Year Retrospective Study

▪IntroductionPatients with E2A-PBX1 fusion are expected to have an aggressive disease course. Because of the rarity of this genotype (nearly 5% of pediatric and 3% of adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) cases), a consensus on the clinical and prognostic characteristics of adult E2A-PBX1-positive B-ALL patients, especially in adult patients, has not yet been reached.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively summarized our clinical findings from 137 B-ALL patients diagnosed with E2A-PBX at our centers from 2009 to 2019, including 56 adolescents/adults (≥15 years old) and 81 children (<15 years old). Genomic investigated analysis was performed on sufficient bone marrow at diagnosis, relapse and remission as well as matched hair follicle cells using somatic copy number variation detection (n=25), whole-exome sequencing (n=29), the next-generation sequencing pane (tumor only, n=14) and RNA sequencing (n=22).ResultsThe proportions of E2A-PBX1-positive B-ALL in our centers were 5.3% (81/1526) in children, 4.6% (43/925) in AYA and 2.1% (15/713) in older adults. The complete remission rate among all E2A-PBX1-positive B-ALL patients in this study was 94.9% (129/136) after one course of induction chemotherapy. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates of the whole cohort were 68.6% and 61.0%, respectively.Allo-HSCT at CR1 in adolescents/adults could dramatically improve the 5-year prognoses (OS: 80.8% vs. 25.7%, P<0.001; DFS: 73.3% vs. 15.5%, P<0.001; cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR): 20.0% vs. 80.5%, P<0.001) (Figure 1A). Haploidentical-HSCT decreased the CIR compared with HLA-matched-HSCT in adolescents/adults (12.5% vs 58.3%, P=0.017) (Figure 1B).A total of 12 patients received CD19-targeted CAR-T cell therapy for disease progression (Figure 1C), and 91.7% (11/12) of patients achieved remission. Two patients died of relapse, and 3 patients died of complications (One died of grade 4 CRS, one died of cerebral hemorrhage after transfusion, and the other one died of infection after 14 months). Three patients received CAR-T bridging to allo-HSCT, and all of them remained in remission within the follow-up period.Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that t(1;19)(q23;p13) only (OS: P=0.020, HR=0.387, 95% CI: 0.174-0.862; DFS: P=0.004, HR= 0.375, 95% CI: 0.193-0.729; CIR: P=0.009, HR= 0.400, 95% CI: 0.200-0.799), Age (DFS: P=0.037, HR=1.009, 95% CI: 1.001-1.018; CIR: P=0.005, HR=1.025, 95% CI: 1.008-1.044) and the level of minimal residual disease (MRD) after induction chemotherapy (OS: P=0.020, HR=2.971, 95% CI: 1.185-7.452; DFS: P=0.002, HR= 3.218, 95% CI: 1.510-6.861; CIR: P=0.006, HR= 3.190, 95% CI: 1.406-7.246) were independent risk factors in E2A-PBX1-positive B-ALL (Figure 1D).In the diagnosis samples, mutations in PBX1, PAX5, CTCF and SETD2, amplification of AKT3, and deletion of CDKN2A/B were common in the total cohort, while transcriptome differences were found in the cell cycle, NGF signaling pathway and transcriptional regulation by TP53 between adolescents/adults and children (Figure 2A,B). More DNA repair gene mutations were detected in the relapse samples (7.9% vs. 57.1%, P<0.001). The median number of subclones in E2A-PBX1-positive B-ALL at diagnosis was 2 (range 1-4). Patients with multiple subclones at diagnosis tended to have unfavorable 3-year prognoses (DFS: P=0.010; CIR: P=0.021). Leukemia clones with DNA repair gene mutations showed aggressive and treatment-refractory phenotypes in this subtype of ALL (Figure 2C).ConclusionsOur study indicated that age, the level of MRD and DNA repair gene mutations were associated with E2A-PBX1-positive B-ALL outcomes. Allo-HSCT, especially haploidentical-HSCT, could improve the prognosis of adolescent/adult patients. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Analysis of cell‐type specific exosomes isolated from cryopreserved human brain

AbstractBackgroundExosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) originated from multivesicular endosomes which carry biochemical information about their cell‐of‐origin and signals for surrounding cells. EVs may also play a role in spread of proteopathic tau and amyloid beta seeds in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Thus, brain exosomes may be a valuable therapeutic target for AD treatment. Ability of brain exosomes to cross the blood brain barrier make them a potential diagnostic and monitoring tool. Despite recent progress in development of EV isolation methods, our knowledge of human brain exosomal subpopulations and their roles in disease progression is very limited.MethodCryopreserved parietal cortex from 5 late stage AD (Braak V‐VI) and 3 control (NL) cases were used for the experiment. Brain exosomes/EVs were purified by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation after gentle enzymatic and mechanical dissociation of the brain tissue. Microglia‐derived EVs were isolated from the brain EV fraction by immunoprecipitation with anti‐CD11b antibodies. We performed analysis of miRNA transcriptome and proteome using NanoString and quantitative proteomics respectively.ResultWe identified 105 miRNAs which are present in more than 80% of analyzed human cases. The pathways controlled by five significantly upregulated miRNAs can be converged to control microglia activation (TGFβ, TLRs, and chemokine signaling pathways) and neuronal survival and function (LTD and LTP, NGF and neurotrophin signaling pathways). One of the upregulated exosomal miRNAs (miR‐188‐5p) is known to be downregulated in human AD brain and it can restore synaptic and cognitive deficits in 5xFAD mice. MiR‐381‐3p can promote recovery of spinal cord injury in rats. On the protein level we found a moderate increase (around 50%) in exosomal markers CD9 and CD81 and decrease in CHMP4B (ESCRT‐III) protein in the AD group. Levels of mitochondrial proteins and annexins were around 2 times higher in AD group compared to NL controls. ApoE protein was also significantly upregulated in AD microglial EVs.ConclusionOur data revealed the presence of anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective miRNA signature in CD11b‐positive microglia‐derived exosomes. Proteomics data suggests upregulation of ESCRT‐independent pathway of exosome biogenesis in AD microglia. Increased association of microglial EVs with ApoE maybe related to amyloid packaging and release by exosome‐mediated mechanism.

Distinct molecular etiologies of male and female hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundSex-differences in cancer occurrence and mortality are evident across tumor types; men exhibit higher rates of incidence and often poorer responses to treatment. Targeted approaches to the treatment of tumors that account for these sex-differences require the characterization and understanding of the fundamental biological mechanisms that differentiate them. Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with the incidence rapidly rising. HCC exhibits a male-bias in occurrence and mortality, but previous studies have failed to explore the sex-specific dysregulation of gene expression in HCC.MethodsHere, we characterize the sex-shared and sex-specific regulatory changes in HCC tumors in the TCGA LIHC cohort using combined and sex-stratified differential expression and eQTL analyses.ResultsBy using a sex-specific differential expression analysis of tumor and tumor-adjacent samples, we uncovered etiologically relevant genes and pathways differentiating male and female HCC. While both sexes exhibited activation of pathways related to apoptosis and cell cycle, males and females differed in the activation of several signaling pathways, with females showing PPAR pathway enrichment while males showed PI3K, PI3K/AKT, FGFR, EGFR, NGF, GF1R, Rap1, DAP12, and IL-2 signaling pathway enrichment. Using eQTL analyses, we discovered germline variants with differential effects on tumor gene expression between the sexes. 24.3% of the discovered eQTLs exhibit differential effects between the sexes, illustrating the substantial role of sex in modifying the effects of eQTLs in HCC. The genes that showed sex-specific dysregulation in tumors and those that harbored a sex-specific eQTL converge in clinically relevant pathways, suggesting that the molecular etiologies of male and female HCC are partially driven by differential genetic effects on gene expression.ConclusionsSex-stratified analyses detect sex-specific molecular etiologies of HCC. Overall, our results provide new insight into the role of inherited genetic regulation of transcription in modulating sex-differences in HCC etiology and provide a framework for future studies on sex-biased cancers.

A synthetic snake-venom-based tripeptide (Glu-Val-Trp) protects PC12 cells from MPP+ toxicity by activating the NGF-signaling pathway

Venom small peptides that target neurotrophin receptors might be beneficial in neurodegeneration, including Parkinsońs disease (PD). Their small size, ease of synthesis, structural stability and target selectivity make them important tools to overcome the limitations of endogenous neurotrophins as therapeutic agents. Additionally, they might be optimized to improve resistance to enzymatic degradation, bioavailability, potency and, mainly, lipophilicity, important to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). Here, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of the synthetic snake-venom-based peptide p-BTX-I (Glu-Val-Trp) in PC12 cells treated with MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium), a dopaminergic neurotoxin that induces Parkinsonism in vivo. The peptide p-BTX-I induced neuritogenesis, which was reduced by (i) k252a, antagonist of the NGF-selective receptor, trkA (tropomyosin receptor kinase A); (ii) LY294002, inhibitor of the PI3 K/AKT pathway and (iii) U0126, inhibitor of the MAPK-ERK pathway. Besides that, p-BTX-I also increased the expression of GAP-43 and synapsin, which are molecular markers of axonal growth and synaptic communication. In addition, the peptide increased the viability and differentiation of cells exposed to MPP+, known to inhibit neuritogenesis. Altogether, our findings suggest that the synthetic peptide p-BTX-I protects PC12 cells from MPP+ toxicity by a mechanism that mimics the neurotrophic action of NGF. Therefore, the molecular structure of p-BTX-I might be relevant in the development of drugs aimed at restoring the axonal connectivity in neurodegenerative processes.

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) Protects PC12 Cells from Cisplatin-Induced Neurotoxicity by Activating the NGF-Signaling Pathway.

Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic drug that is toxic to the peripheral nervous system. Findings suggest that axons are early targets of the neurotoxicity of cisplatin. Although many compounds have been reported as neuroprotective, there is no effective treatment against the neurotoxicity of cisplatin. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a propolis component with neuroprotective potential mainly attributed to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. We have recently demonstrated the neurotrophic potential of CAPE in a cellular model of neurotoxicity related to Parkinson's disease. Now, we have assessed the neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of CAPE against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells. CAPE (10μM) attenuated the inhibition of neuritogenesis and the downregulation of markers of neuroplasticity (GAP-43, synapsin I, synaptophysin, and 200-kD neurofilament) induced by cisplatin (5μM). This concentration of cisplatin does not affect cell viability, and it was used in order to assess the early neurotoxic events triggered by cisplatin. When a lethal dose of cisplatin was used (IC50 = 32μM), CAPE (10μM) increased cell viability. The neurotrophic effect of CAPE is not dependent on NGF nor is it additive to the effect of NGF, but it might involve the activation of the NGF-high-affinity receptors (trkA). The involvement of other neurotrophin receptors such as trkB and trkC is unlikely. This is the first study to demonstrate the protective potential of CAPE against the neurotoxicity of cisplatin and to suggest the involvement of trkA receptors in the neuroprotective mechanism of CAPE. Based on these findings, the beneficial effect of CAPE on cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy should be further investigated.

Mechanisms involved in facial heat hyperalgesia induced by endothelin-1 in female rats

ObjectivePronociceptive responses to endothelins in the trigeminal system seem to be mediated by ETA and ETB receptors, which have been shown to be expressed in neurons of the trigeminal ganglion of humans and rats. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of endothelin-1 (ET-1) to induce facial heat hyperalgesia in female rats, the contribution of ETA and ETB receptors to this response, as well as the mechanisms underlying heat hyperalgesia induced by ET-1. DesignET-1 (100pmol/50μL) was injected into the upper lip and heat hyperalgesia was evaluated for up to 6h. Facial heat hyperalgesia induced by ET-1 was assessed in rats pre-treated locally with BQ-123 or BQ-788 (selective ETA and ETB receptor antagonists, respectively, 30nmol/50μL); BCTC (TRPV1 receptor antagonist; 300μg/50μL); anti-NGF (3μg/50μL); K252a (TrkA inhibitor, 1μg/50μL); or in rats that received intraganglionar resiniferatoxin injection (RTX, 200ng/10μL) to promote C-fibers ablation. ResultsET-1 induced facial heat hyperalgesia that persisted up to 6h and was prevented by BQ-123, BQ-788 or by intraganglionar RTX injection. Likewise, local pre-treatment with BCTC abolished ET-1 induced facial heat hyperalgesia up to 3h. Local pre-treatment with anti-NGF or K252a was effective to prevent ET-1 induced heat hyperalgesia. ConclusionsIn conclusion, ET-1 is able to induce heat hyperagelsia in trigeminal primary afferents of female rats, which is mediated by ETA and ETB receptors. Activation of TRPV1 receptors and NGF-signaling pathways may contribute to heat hyperalgesia induced by ET-1.

Differential Expression and Significance of Circulating microRNAs in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Acute Encephalitis Patients Infected with Japanese Encephalitis Virus.

Changes in circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been associated with different neurological diseases. Here, we presented results of a pilot study aimed at determining the feasibility of detecting miRNAs in the CSF of Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) infected individuals with acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). We demonstrated the circulating miRNA profile in CSF of acute encephalitis patients infected with JEV. Using a quantitative real-time PCR-based miRNA array, we examined the level of 87 miRNAs expressed in human exosomes isolated from CSF. Subsequently, correlation between cytokine level and miRNAs expression in CSF samples was examined. In this study, we identified and validated the upregulated expression of three miRNAs, miR-21-5p, miR-150-5p, and miR-342-3p that were specifically circulated in CSF of acute encephalitis patients infected with JEV. CSF miR-21-5p, miR-150-5p, and miR-342-3p expressions were also elevated in infected mice brain. However, the expression pattern of these miRNAs differed in neuronal cells, microglial cells, and the exosome derived from JEV-infected cell culture supernatant. Interestingly, neuronal cells infected with vaccine strain (SA-14-14) did not lead to any upregulation of these three miRNAs. Further, miR-150-5p expression was found to be negatively correlated(r = -0.5279, p = 0.016) with TNFα level. Pathway analysis of putative target genes of these miRNAs indicated involvement of TGF-β, NGF, axon guidance, and MAPK signaling pathways in JEV/AES patients. This study for the first time represents the circulating miRNA in CSF of AES patients and identified the upregulated miRNAs in JEV-infected patients and offers the basis for future investigation.

Hippocampal ProNGF Signaling Pathways and β-Amyloid Levels in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease

Hippocampal precursor of nerve growth factor (proNGF)/NGF signaling occurs in conjunction with β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulations in Alzheimer disease (AD). To assess the involvement of this pathway in AD progression, we quantified these proteins and their downstream pathway activators in postmortem tissues from the brains of subjects with no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD using immunoblotting and ELISA. Hippocampal proNGF was significantly greater in AD cases compared with those in NCI and MCI cases. TrkA was significantly reduced in MCI compared with those in NCI and AD, whereas p75 neurotrophin receptor, sortilin, and neurotrophin receptor homolog 2 remained stable. Akt decreased from NCI to MCI to AD, whereas phospho-Akt and phospho-Akt-to-Akt ratio were elevated in AD compared with those in MCI and NCI. No differences were found in phospho-Erk, Erk, or their ratio across groups. Although c-jun kinase (JNK) remained stable across groups, phospho-JNK and the phospho-JNK-to-JNK ratio increased significantly in AD compared with those in NCI and MCI. Expression levels of Aβ(1-40), Aβ(1-42), and Aβ(40/42) ratio were stable. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between proNGF and phospho-JNK, although only proNGF was negatively correlated with cognitive function and only TrkA was negatively associated with pathologic criteria. These findings suggest that alterations in the hippocampal NGF signaling pathway in MCI and AD favor proNGF-mediated proapoptotic pathways, and that this is independent of Aβ accumulation during AD progression.

Bisphenol-A suppresses neurite extension due to inhibition of phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in PC12 cells

An endocrine disrupter, bisphenol-A is widely used in the production of plastics and coatings. Recently, it was reported that bisphenol-A affected neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain. On the basis of these reports, it was considered that bisphenol-A affected neuronal differentiation. In this study, the morphological changes in nerve growth factor (NFG)-induced differentiation caused by bisphenol-A were confirmed using a PC12 cell system. When a low concentration of bisphenol-A was added to medium containing NGF, it inhibited neurite extension. In addition, to clarify whether bisphenol-A affects the early and late stages of the NGF-signaling pathway in cell differentiation, changes of phosphorylation of MAP kinases and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) in PC12 cells treated with and without BPA in medium containing NGF were investigated using western blot analysis. As results, bisphenol-A significantly inhibited phosphorylation of CREB and ERK1/2 MAPK.

Age-dependent alterations in nerve growth factor (NGF)-related proteins, sortilin, and learning and memory in rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging on the performance of specific memory-related tasks in rats as well as to determine the levels of several nerve growth factor (NGF)-related proteins in relevant brain regions. The results indicated age-related impairments in spatial learning in a water maze task as well as deficits in recognition memory in a Spontaneous Novel Object Recognition task. In the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, aged rats (compared to young controls) had elevated levels of the proneurotrophin, proNGF (+1.8-1.9 fold), p75(NTR) receptors (+1.6-1.8 fold) and sortilin (+1.8-2.1 fold), and decreased levels of mature NGF (-36 to 44%), and phospho-TrkA receptors (-45 to 49%). The results of this study support the argument that NGF signaling is altered in the aging brain, and that such alterations may contribute to an age-related decline in cognitive function. These results may also help to identify specific components of the NGF-signaling pathway that could serve as targets for novel drug discovery and development for age-related disorders of cognition (e.g., Alzheimer's disease).

Regulation of Neurite Outgrowth by Interactions between the Scaffolding Protein, JNK-associated Leucine Zipper Protein, and Neuronal Growth-associated Protein Superior Cervical Ganglia Clone 10

JLP (JNK-associated leucine zipper protein) is a novel scaffolding protein involved in JNK signaling. Although it is known that JLP is highly expressed in brain, the biological function of JLP in neuronal systems remains unknown. Here, we report a novel interaction between JLP and SCG10 (superior cervical ganglia clone 10), which is a microtubule-destabilizing factor that is essential for neurite outgrowth. Inhibition of endogenous JLP expression using small interference RNA methodology strongly enhanced nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Our results show that JLP negatively regulates NGF-induced neurite outgrowth by decreasing the level of phosphorylated SCG10. Furthermore, inhibition of JNK phosphorylation by a small molecule inhibitor, SP600125, resulted in inhibition of SCG10 phosphorylation and inhibition of neurite growth. Taken together, our results suggest that JLP negatively regulates NGF-induced neurite outgrowth through a sequestering mechanism that results in an attenuation of NGF-induced SCG10 phosphorylation.

Dysregulation of NGF‐signaling and Egr‐1 expression by Tat in neuronal cell culture

Examination of signal transduction pathways that modulate neuronal cell differentiation and protection against apoptosis has revealed a central role for the MAPK/Erk cascade. The activation of MAPK/Erk through the TrkA NGF signaling pathway is critical for growth and survival of neuronal cells. Here, we investigate the impact of HIV-1 Tat on the NGF-signaling pathway in SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells. Expression of Tat decreased cell growth and induced apoptosis. Our results revealed dysregulation of various steps involved in the NGF pathway including suppression of MAPK, and inhibition of the promoter activity of Egr-1, a key pleiotropic mediator of the expression of genes involved in cell growth upon expression of Tat in SK-N-MC cells. Similarly, exposure of SK-N-MC to conditioned media derived from cells expressing Tat decreased phosphorylation of MAPK and reduced the level of Egr-1 protein expression in SK-N-MC cells. Furthermore, MAPK was able to phosphorylate Puralpha, a cellular protein that plays an important role in neuronal cell function and differentiation, and this was inhibited by Tat. The ability of Puralpha to interact with a GA/GC-rich sequence positioned upstream from the transcription start site of the Egr-1 promoter provided a rationale to examine Egr-1 expression. Expression of Tat decreased NGF-induced Egr-1 levels in SK-N-MC cells and reduced binding of Puralpha to the Egr-1 promoter. All of these observations support a model where the interplay between Tat and Puralpha dysregulates the NGF pathway including the MAPK/Erk network, resulting in reduced expression and activity of Egr-1 in neuronal cells.

Numb isoforms containing a short PTB domain promote neurotrophic factor-induced differentiation and neurotrophic factor withdrawal-induced death of PC12 Cells.

The development of the nervous system is regulated by trophic signals that control cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Numb is an evolutionarily conserved protein identified by its ability to control cell fate in the nervous system of Drosophila. Mammals express four isoforms of Numb that differ in the length of a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain and a proline-rich region (PRR). Using PC12 cells stably expressing each of the human isoforms, we show that Numb regulates sensitivity of the cells to neurotrophic factor-induced differentiation and neurotrophic factor withdrawal-induced death in an isoform-specific manner. Numb isoforms containing a short PTB domain enhance the differentiation response to NGF and enhance apoptosis upon NGF withdrawal; Numb isoforms containing a long PTB domain exhibit the same sensitivity to NGF as vector-transfected cells. These effects of Numb were found to be independent of the length of the PRR. In undifferentiated conditions, the levels of full-length TrkA and of phosphorylated p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) are increased in cells expressing Numb isoforms with a short PTB domain, indicating an up-regulation of NGF signaling pathways. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the mechanism whereby short PTB domain Numb isoforms sensitize cells to trophic factor deprivation-induced apoptosis involves elevations in intracellular calcium concentrations. Our results suggest that Numb sensitizes cells to neurotrophin responses in an isoform-specific manner, an effect that may play an important role in the development and plasticity of the nervous system.

Nerve Growth Factor Specifically Stimulates Translation of Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1A-1 (eEF1A-1) mRNA by Recruitment to Polyribosomes in PC12 Cells

During postnatal brain development the level of peptide elongation factor-1A (eEF1A-1) expression declines and that of the highly homologous isoform, eEF1A-2, increases in neurons. eEF1A-1 is implicated in cytoskeletal interactions, tumorigenesis, differentiation, and the absence of eEF1A-2 is implicated in neurodegeneration in the mouse mutant, wasted. The translation of eEF1A-1 mRNA is up-regulated via mitogenic stimulation. However, it is not known if eEF1A-1 mRNA translation is regulated by neurotrophins or if its synthesis is differentially regulated than that of the neuronal isoform, eEF1A-2. Regulated translation of these factors by neurotrophins, particularly by the Trk class of neurotrophin receptors, would implicate them in differentiation, survival, and neuronal plasticity. In this study, we investigated the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulation on the synthesis of eEF1A-1 and eEF1A-2. We found that NGF stimulation causes a preferential synthesis of eEF1A-1 over eEF1A-2 in PC12 cells. We analyzed the co-sedimentation of eEF1A-1 mRNA with polyribosome fractions in sucrose gradients, and found that NGF stimulation enriched the presence of eEF1A-1 mRNA in polyribosomes, indicating that the translation of eEF1A-1 mRNA is regulated by NGF. Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (LY 294002), mammalian target of rapamycin (rapamycin), and the NGF receptor, TrkA (K-252a), but not of mitogen-activated protein kinase (PD 98059), prevented the recruitment of eEF1A-1 mRNA to polyribosomes. The mobilization of eEF1A-1 mRNA to polyribosomes was rapamycin-sensitive in both proliferating and differentiated PC12 cells, indicating the importance of this pathway during differentiation. Our data shows that after growth factor withdrawal, an NGF-signaling pathway stimulates eEF1A-1 mRNA translation in proliferating and differentiated PC12 cells. Therefore, eEF1A-1 mRNA is a specific translational target of TrkA signaling.

R-esp1, a rat homologue of Drosophila Groucho, is differentially expressed after optic nerve crush and mediates NGF-induced survival of PC12 cells

The differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect alterations in gene expression in the superior colliculus after optic nerve crush in adult rats. One of the most prominent changes observed was the selective induction of R-esp1, a homologue of the Drosophila enhancer of split locus (Groucho). Therefore, we studied the influence of R-esp1 on nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced cell survival of PC12 cells. Overexpression of R-esp1 promotes cell survival even in the absence of NGF and, conversely, it is reduced by antisense-mediated inhibition of R-esp1 expression. In conclusion, we propose a novel model in which R-esp1 protein mediates the NGF-signaling pathway.

Dissociation of NGF Induced Signal Transduction from Neurite Elongation by Expression of a Mutant Adaptor Protein v-Crk in PC12 Cells

Expression of the adaptor protein v-Crk in PC12 cells results in sustained activation of NGF signaling pathways and augmented neuritogenesis. However, the inhibitory effect of the v-Crk SH2 domain mutant on neurite elongation does not correlate with impaired Trk A dependent signaling events or gene induction. In contrast, immunofluorescence studies and Triton X-100 extraction experiments indicate that v-Crk co-localizes with the cytoskeletal protein paxillin in the actin cytoskeleton whereas the v-Crk SH2 mutant causes aberrant aggregration of actin filaments at the growth cones. Interestingly, the neurotrophin receptor p75 in v-CrkPC12 cells also displays enhanced localization to the cytoskeleton and these cells exhibit an increased rate of NGF internalization. Together our data suggest that v-Crk might target the NGF-activated receptor signaling complex to the cytoskeleton, thereby potentiating neuritogenesis at the growth cone level. However, mutation in the v-Crk SH2 domain uncouples NGF signaling from the cytoskeletal interactions necessary for neurite elongation.

Cytosine Arabinoside Differentially Alters Survival and Neurite Outgrowth of Neuronal PC12 Cells

Cytosine arabinoside, a potent antimitotic agent, is used clinically as an anticancer drug with the side effect of severe neurotoxicity. Earlier reports suggested that this agent blocks the signaling pathway of nerve growth factor in sympathetic neurons, which results in neuronal death. The present study demonstrated that neuronal PC12 cells deprived of nerve growth factor showed a decrease of neurite outgrowth, which was not seen in cytosine arabinoside-treated neuronal PC12 cells, suggesting that this agent may not interfere with the part of the NGF signaling pathway that leads to neurite outgrowth. On the other hand, treatment of neuronal PC12 cells with cytosine arabinoside led to a dose- and time-dependent decrease of viability. These results suggest that there is a distinction between the neurite outgrowth and the survival promoting activities of nerve growth factor.

Deletion of a conserved juxtamembrane sequence in Trk abolishes NGF-promoted neuritogenesis

Deletion of a conserved juxtamembrane sequence (KFG) in the Trk NGF receptor resulted in impaired neurite outgrowth, somatic hypertrophy, and induction of c- fos, c- jun, and TIS1 immediate-early genes. In contrast, these receptors retained the ability to mediate NGF-promoted survival and TIS8 and TIS11 immediate-early gene induction. The mutated receptor also mediated unimpaired autophosphorylation; SHC, PLC-γ1, and ERK tyrosine phosphorylation; and PI-3 kinase and ERK activation. However, SNT protein tyrosine phosphorylation, which wild-type receptors mediate via a ras-independent pathway, was undetectable. These findings indicate that the KFG sequence is indispensable for activating a ras-independent NGF signaling pathway involved in promoting neuronal differentiation and highlight potential roles of nontyrosine-containing receptor domains in growth factor signal transduction.