TDAG51 Mediates Negative Signaling Crosstalk Between NGF/p75NTR-Induced Cell Death and GDNF/RET-Promoted Survival in

Fernando Federicci1, Fernanda Ledda2, Gustavo Paratcha3

  • 1Laboratorio de Neurociencia Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias (IBCN)-CONICET-UBA, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, CP1121, Argentina.

Neurochemical Research
|August 13, 2025
PubMed

Insights

TDAG51 regulates motor neuron survival by modulating GDNF/RET and NGF/p75NTR pathways. TDAG51 inhibition enhances GDNF-mediated AKT activation and protects against NGF-induced apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is crucial for motor neuron survival and differentiation.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms limiting GDNF's biological effects are not fully understood.
  • Nerve growth factor (NGF) can induce motor neuron apoptosis via the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) under specific conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of TDAG51 in regulating GDNF-mediated survival pathways.
  • To elucidate how TDAG51 influences the balance between pro-survival (GDNF/RET) and pro-apoptotic (NGF/p75NTR) signaling in motor neurons.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized motor neuron-derived MN1 cells.
  • Investigated the effects of GDNF and NGF treatments on TDAG51 expression and signaling pathways.
  • Employed knockdown of Tdag51 to assess its functional role.
  • Analyzed protein translocation and interactions using biochemical methods, including assessment of plasma membrane microdomains.

Main Results:

  • High NGF levels induce TDAG51, which inhibits GDNF/RET-mediated AKT signaling in MN1 cells.
  • Knockdown of Tdag51 potentiates GDNF-induced AKT activation and confers protection against NGF/p75NTR-dependent cell death.
  • TDAG51 translocates to detergent-resistant membrane microdomains upon GDNF stimulation via a PI3K-dependent mechanism.
  • TDAG51 antagonizes GDNF/RET-mediated AKT activation, likely by interfering with AKT and PIP3 interaction.

Conclusions:

  • TDAG51 acts as a critical regulator of the interplay between NGF-induced apoptosis and GDNF-mediated survival signaling in MN1 neuronal cells.
  • TDAG51's inhibitory effect on AKT signaling is a key mechanism by which it modulates neuronal fate decisions.
  • Targeting TDAG51 may offer a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative conditions affecting motor neurons.