Necdin and TrkA contribute to modulation by p75NTR of resistance to oxidant stress

The neurotrophin receptor p75NTR provides protection from oxidant stress induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and resultant cell death. In the absence of p75NTR, TrkA is upregulated and its signaling pathway effectors are increasingly activated. Necdin, a MAGE protein and known interactor of p75NTR and TrkA, is a potential mediator of this phenomenon. Decreased expression of necdin protein in p75NTR-deficient PC12 cells decreased TrkA expression and increased PC12 cell resistance to 6-OHDA. Inhibition of JNK phosphorylation by SP600125 also resulted in increased resistance to 6-OHDA, suggesting that TrkA signaling underlies the susceptibility of these cells to oxidant stress.     

Expression of the Prader-Willi gene Necdin during mouse nervous system development correlates with neuronal differentiation and p75NTR expression

The expression pattern of Necdin, a gene involved in the etiology of Prader-Willi syndrome and a member of the MAGE family of genes, is described during mouse nervous system development. Using RNA in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical staining, and colocalization with neuronal differentiation markers, we found that Necdin RNA and protein are expressed within post-mitotic neurons at all stages studied. From E10 to E12, Necdin is detected in all developing neurons, in both central and peripheral nervous system, with the highest expression levels in the diencephalon and the hindbrain. After E13, Necdin is expressed in specific structures of the nervous system, in particular the hypothalamus, the thalamus, and the pons, suggesting a specific developmental role therein. In addition, Necdin expression is also detected in non-neural tissues, such as the somites, the developing limb buds, the first branchial arches, the tong, and the axial muscles. Recently, Necdin and other MAGE proteins were found to interact in vitro with the intracellular domain of the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor, but this interaction has not been validated in vivo. We report here that the spatial and temporal expression of p75NTR is included in Necdin expression domain. These results are in agreement with Necdin proposed role on cell cycle arrest, inhibition of apoptosis and facilitation of neuronal differentiation in vitro, and with hypothalamic cellular deficiencies reported in mice with abrogation of the Necdin gene. Furthermore, they are also consistent with the putative role of Necdin in signaling events promoted by p75NTR during mouse nervous system development.     

Cloning and biological comparison of Restin, a novel member of Mage superfamily

In the present study, a new member of melanoma associated antigens (Mage), named Restin (219 amino acids), was identified from HL-60 cell induced by all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) by PCR-based subtractive hybridization. Bioinformatics analysis found this novel gene shares high homolog with Necdin (a neuronal growth suppressor, 49%). Both of them are basic proteins. Moreover, the Restin, Necdin and Mages are in one protein superfamily. This fact indicates that the Restin and Mages are mutually related but functionally different. Further analysis found that they can be divided into two subgroups, the acid and the basic. Restin, Necdin and Mage-D1 have an alkaline conserve region (PI is from 8.6 to 10.1), which are not or less expressed in tumor tissues but mostly in normal tissues. It has been reported that Necdin can arrest the cell proliferation by interaction with p53 and E2F1. Therefore, all of them are probably related to arrest the cell cycle. However, the Mage A and C are primarily acid proteins (PI is from 4.2 to 4.9), not expressed in normal tissues but in tumors. It is quite probable that these proteins are involved in the cell proliferation. We therefore suggest that these two protein families might be a pair of control elements of cell cycle——“in cycle or out of cycle”.     

Cloning and biological comparison of Restin, a novel member of Mage superfamily

In the present study, a new member of melanoma associated antigens (Mage), named Restin (219 amino acids), was identified from HL-60 cell induced by all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) by PCR-based subtractive hybridization. Bioinformatics analysis found this novel gene shares high homolog with Necdin (a neuronal growth suppressor, 49%). Both of them are basic proteins. Moreover, the Restin, Necdin and Mages are in one protein superfamily. This fact indicates that the Restin and Mages are mutually related but functionally different. Further analysis found that they can be divided into two subgroups, the acid and the basic. Restin, Necdin and Mage-D1 have an alkaline conserve region (PI is from 8.6 to 10.1), which are not or less expressed in tumor tissues but mostly in normal tissues. It has been reported that Necdin can arrest the cell proliferation by interaction with p53 and E2F1. Therefore, all of them are probably related to arrest the cell cycle. However, the Mage A and C are primarily acid proteins (PI is from 4.2 to 4.9), not expressed in normal tissues but in tumors. It is quite probable that these proteins are involved in the cell proliferation. We therefore suggest that these two protein families might be a pair of control elements of cell cycle--"in cycle or out of cycle".     

Cloning and biological comparison of Restin, a novel member of Mage superfamily

In the present study, a new member of melanoma associated antigens (Mage), named Restin (219 amino acids), was identified from HL-60 cell induced by all-frans-retinoic acid (ATRA) by PCR-based subtractive hybridization. Bioinformatics analysis found this novel gene shares high homolog with Necdin (a neuronal growth suppressor, 49%). Both of them are basic proteins. Moreover, the Restin, Necdin and Mages are in one protein superfamily. This fact indicates that the Restin and Mages are mutually related but functionally different. Further analysis found that they can be divided into two subgroups, the acid and the basic. Restin, Necdin and Mage-D1 have an alkaline conserve region (PI is from 8.6 to 10.1), which are not or less expressed in tumor tissues but mostly in normal tissues. It has been reported that Necdin can arrest the cell proliferation by interaction with p53 and E2F1. Therefore, all of them are probably related to arrest the cell cycle. However, the Mage A and C are primarily acid proteins (PI