Identification and developmental regulation of a neuron-specific subunit of cytoplasmic dynein

Cytoplasmic dynein is the microtubule minus-end-directed motor for the retrograde axonal transport of membranous organelles. Because of its similarity to the intermediate chains of flagellar dynein, the 74-kDa intermediate chain (IC74) subunit of dynein is thought to be involved in binding dynein to its membranous organelle cargo. Previously, we identified six isoforms of the IC74 cytoplasmic dynein subunit in the brain. We further demonstrated that cultured glia and neurons expressed different dynein IC74 isoforms and phospho-isoforms. Two isoforms were observed when dynein from glia was analyzed. When dynein from cultured neurons was analyzed, six IC74 isoforms were observed, although the relative amounts of the dynein isoforms from cultured neurons differed from those found in dynein from brain. To better understand the role of the neuronal IC74 isoforms and identify neuron-specific IC74 dynein subunits, the expression of the IC74 protein isoforms and mRNAs of various tissues were compared. As a result of this comparison, the identity of each of the isoform spots observed on two-dimensional gels was correlated with the products of each of the IC74 mRNAs. We also found that between the fifteenth day of gestation (E15) and the fifth day after birth (P5), the relative expression of the IC74 protein isoforms changes, demonstrating that the expression of IC74 isoforms is developmentally regulated in brain. During this time period, there is relatively little change in the abundance of the various IC74 mRNAs. The E15 to P5 time period is one of rapid process extension and initial pattern formation in the rat brain. This result indicates that the changes in neuronal IC74 isoforms coincide with neuronal differentiation, in particular the extension of processes. This suggests a role for the neuronal IC74 isoforms in the establishment or regulation of retrograde axonal transport.