title: GAP-43 mRNA in growth cones is associated with HuD and ribosomes.
abstract: The neuron-specific ELAV/Hu family member, HuD, interacts with and stabilizes GAP-43 mRNA in developing neurons, and leads to increased levels of GAP-43 protein. As GAP-43 protein is enriched in growth cones, it is of interest to determine if HuD and GAP-43 mRNA are associated in developing growth cones. HuD granules in growth cones are found in the central domain that is rich in microtubules and ribosomes, in the peripheral domain with its actin network, and in filopodia. This distribution of HuD granules in growth cones is dependent on actin filaments but not on microtubules. GAP-43 mRNA is localized in granules found in both the central and peripheral domains, but not in filopodia. Ribosomes were extensively colocalized with HuD and GAP-43 mRNA granules in the central domain, consistent with a role in the control of GAP-43 mRNA stability in the growth cone. Together, these results demonstrate that many of the components necessary for GAP-43 mRNA translation/stabilization are present within growth cones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1239, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Rownak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Afroz
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Bassell
authors.forename: Henry M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Furneaux
authors.forename: Nora I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Perrone-Bizzozero
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Burry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051959:ELAV Proteins; D019922:GAP-43 Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051959:ELAV Proteins; D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor