Role of the Go/i signaling network in the regulation of neurite outgrowth.
Neurite outgrowth is a complex differentiation process stimulated by many neuronal growth factors and transmitters and by electrical activity. Among these stimuli are ligands for G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) that function as neurotransmitters. The pathways involved in GPCR-triggered neurite outgrowth are not fully understood. Many of these receptors couple to Galphao, one of the most abundant proteins in the neuronal growth cones. We have studied the Go signaling network involved in neurite outgrowth in Neuro2A cells. Galphao can induce neurite outgrowth. The CB1 cannabinoid receptor, a Go/i-coupled receptor expressed endogenously in Neuro2A cells, triggers neurite outgrowth by activating Rap1, which promotes the Galphao-stimulated proteasomal degradation of Rap1GAPII. CB1-receptor-mediated Rap1 activation leads to the activation of a signaling network that includes the small guanosine triphosphate (GTP)ases Ral and Rac, the protein kinases Src, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which converge onto the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3), a key transcription factor that mediates the gene expression process of neurite outgrowth in Neuro2A cells. This review describes current findings from our laboratory and also discusses alternative pathways that Go/i might mediate to trigger neurite outgrowth. We also analyze the role neurotransmitters, which stimulate Go/i to activate a complex signaling network controlling neurite outgrowth, play in regeneration after neuronal injury.
He
John Cijiang
JC
Department of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA. Cijiang.he@mssm.edu
Neves
Susana R
SR
Jordan
J Dedrick
JD
Iyengar
Ravi
R
D000818:Animals; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology*; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000502:physiology; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D019206:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go