N-terminal Slit2 promotes survival and neurite extension in cultured peripheral neurons.
To investigate the effect of the N-terminal Slit2 protein on neuronal survival and development, recombinant human N-terminal Slit2 (N-Slit2) was assayed against isolated embryonic chick dorsal root ganglion sensory, ciliary ganglion and paravertebral sympathetic neurons. N-Slit2 promoted significant levels of neuronal survival and neurite extension in all of these populations. The protein was also assayed against postnatal mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons and found to promote neuronal survival in a similar manner. These findings suggest the Slit proteins may play an important role during development of the nervous system, mediating cellular survival in addition to the well documented role these proteins play in axonal and neuronal chemorepulsion.
Piper
Michael
M
Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4067, Australia.
Nurcombe
Victor
V
Reid
Kate
K
Bartlett
Perry
P
Little
Melissa
M
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D005726:Ganglia, Parasympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016501:Neurites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D000098552:Slit Homolog 2 Protein
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000098552:Slit Homolog 2 Protein