Doublecortin (Dcx) family proteins regulate filamentous actin structure in developing neurons

J Neurosci. 2013 Jan 9;33(2):709-21. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4603-12.2013.

Abstract

Doublecortin (Dcx) is the causative gene for X-linked lissencephaly, which encodes a microtubule-binding protein. Axon tracts are abnormal in both affected individuals and in animal models. To determine the reason for the axon tract defect, we performed a semiquantitative proteomic analysis of the corpus callosum in mice mutant for Dcx. In axons from mice mutant for Dcx, widespread differences are found in actin-associated proteins as compared with wild-type axons. Decreases in actin-binding proteins α-actinin-1 and α-actinin-4 and actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 3 (Arp3), are correlated with dysregulation in the distribution of filamentous actin (F-actin) in the mutant neurons with increased F-actin around the cell body and decreased F-actin in the neurites and growth cones. The actin distribution defect can be rescued by full-length Dcx and further enhanced by Dcx S297A, the unphosphorylatable mutant, but not with the truncation mutant of Dcx missing the C-terminal S/P-rich domain. Thus, the C-terminal region of Dcx dynamically regulates formation of F-actin features in developing neurons, likely through interaction with spinophilin, but not through α-actinin-4 or Arp3. We show with that the phenotype of Dcx/Doublecortin-like kinase 1 deficiency is consistent with actin defect, as these axons are selectively deficient in axon guidance, but not elongation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin-Related Protein 3 / metabolism
  • Actinin / metabolism
  • Actins / metabolism
  • Actins / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Axons / physiology
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Corpus Callosum / cytology
  • Corpus Callosum / growth & development
  • Corpus Callosum / physiology
  • Databases, Factual
  • Doublecortin Domain Proteins
  • Doublecortin Protein
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / physiology*
  • Mutation / physiology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurofilament Proteins / physiology*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Neuropeptides / physiology*
  • Proteomics

Substances

  • Actin-Related Protein 3
  • Actins
  • Actn4 protein, mouse
  • Dcx protein, mouse
  • Doublecortin Domain Proteins
  • Doublecortin Protein
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • neurabin
  • Actinin