The stress-regulated protein M6a is a key modulator for neurite outgrowth and filopodium/spine formation

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0504262102
• Publication Date: 2005-11-15T01:33:40Z
• Authors: Julieta Alfonso; María E. Fernández; Benjamin Cooper; Gabriele Flugge; Alberto C. Frasch
• Keywords: Filopodia; Neurite; Synaptophysin

Neuronal remodeling is a fundamental process by which the brain responds to environmental influences, e.g., during stress. In hippocampus, chronic stress causes retraction of dendrites in CA3 pyramidal neurons. We have recently identified glycoprotein M6a as stress-responsive gene hippocampal formation. This down-regulated hippocampus both socially and physically stressed animals, this effect can be reversed antidepressant treatment. present work, we analyzed biological function protein. Immunohistochemistry showed that protein abundant all subregions, subcellular analysis primary neurons revealed its presence membrane protrusions (filopodia/spines). Transfection experiments overexpression induces neurite formation increases filopodia density knockdown with small interference RNA methodology low-expressing display decreased number lower synaptophysin clusters. Taken together, our findings indicate plays an important role neurite/filopodium outgrowth synapse Therefore, reduced expression might responsible for morphological alterations found chronically animals. Potential mechanisms explain effects are discussed.