CRMP5 interacts with tubulin to inhibit neurite outgrowth, thereby modulating the function of CRMP2

Collapsin response mediator proteins (CRMPs) are involved in signaling of axon guidance and neurite outgrowth during neural development and regeneration. Among these, CRMP2 has been identified as an important actor in neuronal polarity and axon outgrowth, these activities being correlated with the reorganization of cytoskeletal proteins. In contrast, the function of CRMP5, expressed during brain development, remains obscure. Here, we find that, in contrast to CRMP2, CRMP5 inhibits tubulin polymerization and neurite outgrowth. Knockdown of CRMP5 expression by small interfering RNA confirms its inhibitory functions. CRMP5 forms a ternary complex with MAP2 and tubulin, the latter involving residues 475-522 of CRMP5, exposed at the molecule surface. Using different truncated CRMP5 constructs, we demonstrate that inhibition of neurite outgrowth by CRMP5 is mediated by tubulin binding. When both CRMP5 and CRMP2 are overexpressed, the inhibitory effect of CRMP5 abrogates neurite outgrowth promotion induced by CRMP2, suggesting that CRMP5 acts as a dominant signal. In cultured hippocampal neurons, CRMP5 shows no effect on axon growth, whereas it inhibits dendrite outgrowth and formation, at an early developmental stage, correlated with its strong expression in neurites. At later stages, when dendrites begin to extend, CRMP5 expression is absent. However, CRMP2 is constantly expressed. Overexpression of CRMP5 with CRMP2 inhibits CRMP2-induced outgrowth both on the axonal and dendritic levels. Deficiency of CRMP5 expression enhanced the CRMP2 effect. This antagonizing effect of CRMP5 is exerted through a tubulin-based mechanism. Thus, the CRMP5 binding to tubulin modulates CRMP2 regulation of neurite outgrowth and neuronal polarity during brain development.