Interplay between electrical activity and bone morphogenetic protein signaling regulates spinal neuron
Immani Swapna1, Laura N Borodinsky
1Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Summary
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) decrease spinal neuron electrical activity via p38 MAPK, while electrical activity impacts BMP signaling. This interplay is crucial for dorsal neuron development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- A bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) gradient specifies dorsal neurons in the spinal cord.
- Opposing ventrodorsal gradients of electrical activity exist in the developing spinal cord.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between BMPs and electrical activity in embryonic spinal neurons.
- To understand how these factors regulate dorsal neuron specification.
Main Methods:
- Investigated BMP effects on electrical activity using voltage-gated sodium channel modulation.
- Assessed electrical activity's impact on Smad phosphorylation and nuclear localization.
- Examined the role of this interplay in dorsal commissural neuron phenotype specification.
Main Results:
- BMP signaling reduces electrical activity through p38 MAPK-dependent inhibition of sodium channels.
- Electrical activity modulates the phosphorylation and nuclear levels of Smad proteins.
- This reciprocal interaction regulates dorsal commissural spinal neuron differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Identified a novel interplay between BMPs and electrical activity in spinal neuron development.
- This interaction is essential for interpreting morphogen gradients during neuronal differentiation.
