Identification and Cytoprotective Function of a Novel Nestin Isoform,Nes-S,in Dorsal Root Ganglia Neurons |
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| Authors: | Peng-Han Su Chih-Cheng Chen Ya-Fan Chang Zong-Ruei Wong Kai-Wei Chang Bu-Miin Huang Hsi-Yuan Yang |
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| Affiliation: | From the ‡Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan.;the §Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, and ;the ¶Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan |
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| Abstract: | In this study, the first nestin isoform, Nes-S, was identified in neurons of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of adult rats. Nes-S cannot form filaments by itself in cytoplasmic intermediate filament-free SW13 cells. Instead, it co-assembles into filaments with vimentin when transfected into vimentin+ SW13 cells, and with peripherin and neurofilament proteins when transfected into N2a cells. In primary DRG neurons, endogenous Nes-S co-assembles with peripherin and neurofilament proteins. The expression of Nes-S first appears in DRG at postnatal day 5 and persists to adulthood. Among the adult tissues we examined, the expression of Nes-S is restricted to the sensory and motor neurons. Finally, exogenous Nes-S enhances viability when transfected into N2a cells, and knockdown of endogenous Nes-S impairs the survival of DRG neurons in primary cultures. Taken together, Nes-S is a new neuronal intermediate filament protein that exerts a cytoprotective function in mature sensory and motor neurons. |
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| Keywords: | Alternative Splicing Cytoskeleton Intermediate Filaments Neurons Protein Aggregation Dorsal Root Ganglia Nestin Isoform Sensory and Motor Neurons |
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