The molluscan RING-finger protein L-TRIM is essential for neuronal outgrowth

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2005 May;29(1):74-81. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2005.01.005.

Abstract

The tripartite motif proteins TRIM-2 and TRIM-3 have been put forward as putative organizers of neuronal outgrowth and structural plasticity. Here, we identified a molluscan orthologue of TRIM-2/3, named L-TRIM, which is up-regulated during in vitro neurite outgrowth of central neurons. In adult animals, L-Trim mRNA is ubiquitously expressed at low levels in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues. Central nervous system expression of L-Trim mRNA is increased during postnatal brain development and during in vitro and in vivo neuronal regeneration. In vitro double-stranded RNA knock-down of L-Trim mRNA resulted in a >70% inhibition of neurite outgrowth. Together, our data establish a crucial role for L-TRIM in developmental neurite outgrowth and functional neuronal regeneration and indicate that TRIM-2/3 family members may have evolutionary conserved functions in neuronal differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Enlargement
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Lymnaea / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nervous System / cytology
  • Nervous System / growth & development
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Zinc Fingers / genetics*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • TRIM3 protein, human