Abstract
Neurofilaments are synthesised in neuronal cell bodies and then transported through axons. Damage to neurofilament transport is seen in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we show that PKN1, a neurofilament head-rod domain kinase is cleaved and activated in SOD1G93A transgenic mice that are a model of ALS. Moreover, we demonstrate that glutamate, a proposed toxic mechanism in ALS leads to caspase cleavage and disruption of PKN1 in neurons. Finally, we demonstrate that a cleaved form of PKN1 but not wild-type PKN1 disrupts neurofilament organisation and axonal transport. Thus, deregulation of PKN1 may contribute to the pathogenic process in ALS.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / enzymology*
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / etiology
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / genetics
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Animals
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Axonal Transport* / genetics
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Caspase 3 / metabolism
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Disease Models, Animal
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Glutamic Acid / toxicity
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Humans
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism*
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Neurofilament Proteins / ultrastructure*
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Neurons / drug effects
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Neurons / enzymology
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Neurons / ultrastructure
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Protein Kinase C / genetics
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Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
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Rats
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Spinal Cord / metabolism
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Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
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Superoxide Dismutase-1
Substances
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Neurofilament Proteins
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SOD1 protein, human
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Glutamic Acid
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Sod1 protein, mouse
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Sod1 protein, rat
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Superoxide Dismutase
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Superoxide Dismutase-1
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protein kinase N
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Protein Kinase C
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Caspase 3