CRK and NCK adaptors may functionally overlap in zebrafish neurodevelopment, as indicated by common binding partners and overlapping expression patterns
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Published on: March 23, 2020
Helaina R Stergas1, Maeve Dillon-Martin1, Caroline M Dumas1
1Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA.
Abstract:
CRK adaptor proteins are important for signal transduction mechanisms driving cell proliferation and positioning during vertebrate central nervous system development. Zebrafish lacking both CRK family members exhibit small, disorganized retinas with 50% penetrance. The goal of this study was to determine whether another adaptor protein might functionally compensate for the loss of CRK adaptors. Expression patterns in developing zebrafish, and bioinformatic analyses of the motifs recognized by their SH2 and SH3 domains, suggest NCK adaptors are well-positioned to compensate for loss of CRK adaptors. In support of this hypothesis, proteomic analyses found CRK and NCK adaptors share overlapping interacting partners including known regulators of cell adhesion and migration, suggesting their functional intersection in neurodevelopment.
Insights
CRK adaptor proteins are crucial for vertebrate nervous system development. This study suggests NCK adaptors may compensate for CRK loss, impacting cell adhesion and migration in neurodevelopment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- CRK adaptor proteins regulate cell proliferation and positioning in vertebrate CNS development.
- Zebrafish lacking CRK adaptors show retinal defects, indicating CRK's importance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if other adaptor proteins can functionally compensate for the loss of CRK adaptors.
- To explore the potential role of NCK adaptors in compensating for CRK loss during neurodevelopment.
Main Methods:
- Analyzing expression patterns of adaptor proteins in developing zebrafish.
- Bioinformatic analysis of SH2 and SH3 domain motifs.
- Proteomic analysis to identify shared interacting partners.
Main Results:
- Expression patterns and bioinformatic analyses suggest NCK adaptors are positioned to compensate for CRK loss.
- Proteomic data reveal overlapping interacting partners between CRK and NCK adaptors.
- Shared partners include regulators of cell adhesion and migration.
Conclusions:
- NCK adaptor proteins show potential to functionally compensate for CRK adaptor loss in zebrafish neurodevelopment.
- CRK and NCK adaptors likely intersect functionally in regulating cell adhesion and migration during CNS development.
