Sonic hedgehog promotes autophagy in hippocampal neurons

• DOI: 10.1242/bio.20134275
• Publication Date: 2013-04-13T01:48:01Z
• Authors: Ronald S. Petralia; Catherine M. Schw...; Ya-Xian Wang; Elisa M. Kawamoto; Mark P. Mattson; Pamela J. Yao
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; QH301-705.5; Science; Hippocampal neurons; Synapses; Q; Autophagy; Sonic hedgehog; Biology (General); Research Article

The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is well known in patterning of the neural tube during embryonic development, but its emerging role differentiated neurons less understood. Here we report that Shh enhances autophagy cultured hippocampal neurons. Microarray analysis reveals upregulation multiple autophagy-related genes response to application. Through autophagy-marker LC3 by immunoblot and immunocytochemistry, confirm activation Shh-exposed Using electron microscopy, find autophagosomes associated structures with a wide range morphologies synaptic terminals Moreover, show Shh-triggered depends on class III Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase complexes (PtdIns3K). These results identify link between pathways and, importantly, provide lead for further understanding physiology activity