Caldendrin represses neurite regeneration and growth in dorsal root ganglion neurons

Caldendrin is a Ca²⁺ binding protein that interacts with multiple effectors, such as the Ca_v1 L-type Ca²⁺ channel, which play a prominent role in regulating the outgrowth of dendrites and axons (i.e., neurites) during development and in response to injury. Here, we investigated the role of caldendrin in Ca_v1-dependent pathways that impinge upon neurite growth in dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGNs). By immunofluorescence, caldendrin was localized in medium- and large- diameter DRGNs. Compared to DRGNs cultured from WT mice, DRGNs of caldendrin knockout (KO) mice exhibited enhanced neurite regeneration and outgrowth. Strong depolarization, which normally represses neurite growth through activation of Ca_v1 channels, had no effect on neurite growth in DRGN cultures from female caldendrin KO mice. Remarkably, DRGNs from caldendrin KO males were no different from those of WT males in terms of depolarization-dependent neurite growth repression. We conclude that caldendrin opposes neurite regeneration and growth, and this involves coupling of Ca_v1 channels to growth-inhibitory pathways in DRGNs of females but not males.