ENaC proteins are required for NGF-induced neurite growth.
Neurite growth is required for nervous system development and repair. Multiple signals, including neurotrophic factors and intact mechanosensing mechanisms, interact to regulate neurite growth. Degenerin/epithelial Na(+) channel (DEG/ENaC) proteins have been identified as putative mechanosensors in sensory neurons. Recently, others have shown that the neurotrophic factor NGF stimulates expression of acid-sensing ion channel molecules, which are members of the DEG/ENaC family. However, it is unknown whether NGF regulates ENaC expression or whether ENaC expression is required for neurite formation. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to determine whether ENaC expression is 1) regulated by NGF and 2) required for NGF-induced neurite growth in pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells. We found NGF-induced expression of beta- and gamma-subunits of ENaC, but not alpha-ENaC. Tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) receptor blockade abolished NGF-induced beta- and gamma-ENaC expression and neurite formation. NGF-induced neurite formation was inhibited by disruption of ENaC expression using 1) pharmacological blockade with benzamil, a specific ENaC inhibitor; 2) small interfering RNA; and 3) dominant-negative ENaC molecules. These data indicate NGF-TrkA regulation of ENaC expression may be required for neurite growth and may suggest a novel role for DEG/ENaC proteins in neuronal remodeling and differentiation.
Drummond
Heather A
HA
Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, Univ. of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State St., N615, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. hdrummond@physiology.umsmed.edu
Furtado
Marise M
MM
Myers
Samuel
S
Grifoni
Samira
S
Parker
Kimberly A
KA
Hoover
Angela
A
Stec
David E
DE
D000584:Amiloride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D020868:Gene Silencing; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology*; D016716:PC12 Cells; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000378:metabolism; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D015222:Sodium Channels; C013407:benzamil; D000584:Amiloride; D020917:Receptor, trkA