A novel, brain-specific mouse drebrin: cDNA cloning, chromosomal mapping, genomic structure, expression, and functional characterization

Genomics. 2002 May;79(5):686-92. doi: 10.1006/geno.2002.6764.

Abstract

Drebrin A, a major neuronal actin-binding protein, regulates the dendritic spine shapes of neurons. Here, we have cloned and characterized a novel mouse cDNA clone encoding a truncated form of drebrin A, named s-drebrin A. Analysis of the genomic organization of the mouse drebrin gene (Dbn1), which mapped to the central portion of chromosome 13, revealed that isoforms including s-drebrin A are generated by alternative splicing from a single drebrin gene. The s-drebrin A mRNA was expressed in the brain, but not in non-neuronal tissues. The s-drebrin A expression was barely detected in the embryonic brain, but was upregulated during postnatal development of the brain. Overexpression of GFP-tagged s-drebrin A in fibroblasts showed it to be associated with actin filaments and with changes in actin cytoskeleton organization. These findings suggest that s-drebrin A has a role in spine morphogenesis, possibly by competing the actin-binding activity with drebrin A.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • CHO Cells
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cricetinae
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • DNA, Complementary / chemistry
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Exons
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Introns
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muridae
  • Neuropeptides / genetics*
  • Neuropeptides / physiology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Actins
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • drebrins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB041033
  • GENBANK/AB064321