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Using Live-Cell Imaging to Measure the Effects of Pathological Proteins on Axonal Transport in Primary Hippocampal Neurons
Published on: December 22, 2023
Proteomics analysis of the temporal changes in axonal proteins during maturation
Hitoshi Yamatani1, Takahiko Kawasaki, Sakura Mita
1Division of Brain Function, National Institute of Genetics, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (Sokendai), Mishima 411-8540, Japan.
Developmental Neurobiology
|March 13, 2010
Summary
Axon maturation involves significant protein expression changes, particularly calcium-dependent membrane-binding proteins like annexin A6, which promote branching. Other proteins impact axon outgrowth and cytoskeletal restructuring during neural circuit development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Axons undergo substantial structural and functional modifications post-projection to form mature neural circuits.
- Understanding protein expression dynamics during axon maturation is crucial for deciphering neural development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate protein expression changes during the maturation of lateral olfactory tract axons.
- To identify key proteins involved in axon structural and functional development.
Main Methods:
- Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was employed to analyze protein expression profiles.
- Overexpression studies of specific proteins (annexin A6, VILIP1, neurocalcin delta) were conducted in primary cultured neurons.
Main Results:
- Upregulation of calcium-dependent membrane-binding proteins (VILIP1, neurocalcin delta, copine 6, annexin A6) was observed.
- Annexin A6 accumulation at the axon initial segment enhanced branching; VILIP1 and neurocalcin delta overexpression reduced outgrowth and branching.
- Tubulin- and microtubule-binding proteins (CRMP2, guanine deaminase, MAP1B, fibronectin type3 SPRY domain-containing protein) were also upregulated.
Conclusions:
- Specific calcium-dependent membrane-binding proteins play distinct roles in regulating axon branching and outgrowth during maturation.
- Upregulated cytoskeletal-associated proteins likely contribute to the extensive restructuring of axons during maturation.
- These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms governing neural circuit formation.
