Fine-tuning of neuronal architecture requires two profilin isoforms

Two profilin isoforms (PFN1 and PFN2a) are expressed in the mammalian brain. Although profilins are essential for regulating actin dynamics in general, the specific role of these isoforms in neurons has remained elusive. We show that knockdown of the neuron-specific PFN2a results in a significant re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2010-09, Vol.107 (36), p.15780-15785
Main Authors: Michaelsen, Kristin, Murk, Kai, Zagrebelsky, Marta, Dreznjak, Anita, Jockusch, Brigitte M., Rothkegel, Martin, Korte, Martin, Pollard, Thomas D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actin
Actins
Animal cells
Animals
Base Sequence
Biological Sciences
Brain
Data processing
Dendrites
Dendritic spines
Gene Knockdown Techniques
Hippocampus
Immunohistochemistry
Mammals
Mice
Microfilaments
Morphology
Nervous system
Neurons
Neurons - cytology
Physiological regulation
profilin
Profilins
Profilins - genetics
Profilins - physiology
Protein isoforms
Protein Isoforms - genetics
Protein Isoforms - physiology
Receptors
RNA Interference
Signal Transduction
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Summary:Two profilin isoforms (PFN1 and PFN2a) are expressed in the mammalian brain. Although profilins are essential for regulating actin dynamics in general, the specific role of these isoforms in neurons has remained elusive. We show that knockdown of the neuron-specific PFN2a results in a significant reduction in dendrite complexity and spine numbers of hippocampal neurons. Overexpression of PFN1 in PFN2a-deficient neurons prevents the loss of spines but does not restore dendritic complexity. Furthermore, we show that profilins are involved in differentially regulating actin dynamics downstream of the pan-neurotrophin receptor (p75 NTR ), a receptor engaged in modulating neuronal morphology. Overexpression of PFN2a restores the morphological changes in dendrites caused by p75 NTR overexpression, whereas PFN1 restores the normal spine density. Our data assign specific functions to the two PFN isoforms, possibly attributable to different affinities for potent effectors also involved in actin dynamics, and suggest that they are important for the signal-dependent fine-tuning of neuronal architecture.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.1004406107