Cloning of drebrin A and induction of neurite-like processes in drebrin-transfected cells

Neuroreport. 1992 Jan;3(1):109-12. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199201000-00029.

Abstract

The developmentally-regulated neuron-specific protein, drebrin A, is expressed first at the time of outgrowth and maturation of dendrites, and is localized within dendrites of the adult brain. A cDNA clone of adult rat drebrin A was isolated and sequenced. There is no overall homology with other reported protein sequences except chicken drebrins. We constructed the expression vector MIW-DA containing the drebrin A cDNA. Transfection of nonneuronal cells with MIW-DA induced the formation of highly branched neurite-like cell processes. In these process-bearing transfectants, expressed debrin A is concentrated in submembraneous regions of the cell. Furthermore, actin concentration is higher in these cells than other fibroblasts. These results suggest a possible role of drebrin A in neurite outgrowth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Brain Chemistry / genetics
  • Brain Chemistry / physiology
  • Chickens
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA / biosynthesis
  • L Cells
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurites / metabolism*
  • Neurites / ultrastructure
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism*
  • Plasmids
  • Rats
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Neuropeptides
  • drebrins
  • DNA