DISC1 regulates neurotrophin-induced axon elongation via interaction with Grb2

J Neurosci. 2007 Jan 3;27(1):4-14. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3825-06.2007.

Abstract

Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1) is a candidate gene for susceptibility of schizophrenia. In the accompanying paper (Taya et al., 2006), we report that DISC1 acts as a linker between Kinesin-1 and DISC1-interacting molecules, such as NudE-like, lissencephaly-1, and 14-3-3epsilon. Here we identified growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb2) as a novel DISC1-interacting molecule. Grb2 acts as an adaptor molecule that links receptor tyrosine kinases and the Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. DISC1 formed a ternary complex with Grb2 and kinesin heavy chain KIF5A of Kinesin-1. In cultured rat hippocampal neurons, both DISC1 and Grb2 partially colocalized at the distal part of axons. Knockdown of DISC1 or kinesin light chains of Kinesin-1 by RNA interference inhibited the accumulation of Grb2 from the distal part of axons. Knockdown of DISC1 also inhibited the neurotrophin-3 (NT-3)-induced phosphorylation of ERK-1/2 at the distal part of axons and inhibited NT-3-induced axon elongation. These results suggest that DISC1 is required for NT-3-induced axon elongation and ERK activation at the distal part of axons by recruiting Grb2 to axonal tips.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / drug effects
  • Axons / metabolism*
  • Axons / ultrastructure*
  • Biological Transport, Active / drug effects
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Enlargement
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein / metabolism*
  • Homeostasis / drug effects
  • Homeostasis / physiology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurotrophin 3 / administration & dosage*
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Rats

Substances

  • Disc1 protein, rat
  • GRB2 Adaptor Protein
  • Grb2 protein, rat
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neurotrophin 3