title: RPTPalpha is required for rigidity-dependent inhibition of extension and differentiation of hippocampal neurons.
abstract: Receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase alpha (RPTPalpha)-knockout mice have severe hippocampal abnormalities similar to knockouts of the Src family kinase Fyn. These enzymes are linked to the matrix-rigidity response in fibroblasts, but their function in neurons is unknown. The matrix-rigidity response of fibroblasts appears to differ from that of neuronal growth cones but it is unknown whether the rigidity detection mechanism or response pathway is altered. Here, we report that RPTPalpha is required for rigidity-dependent reinforcement of fibronectin (FN)-cytoskeleton bonds and the rigidity response in hippocampal neuron growth cones, like in fibroblasts. In control neurons, rigid FN surfaces inhibit neurite extension and neuron differentiation relative to soft surfaces. In RPTPalpha(-/-) neurons, no inhibition of extension and differentiation is found on both rigid and soft surfaces. The RPTPalpha-dependent rigidity response in neurons is FN-specific, and requires clustering of alpha(v)beta(6) integrin at the leading edge of the growth cones. Further, RPTPalpha is necessary for the rigidity-dependent concentration of Fyn and p130Cas phosphorylation at the leading edge of the growth cone, like it is in fibroblasts. Although neurons respond to rigid FN surfaces in the opposite way to fibroblasts, we suggest that the mechanism of detecting FN rigidity is similar and involves rigidity-dependent RPTPalpha recruitment of Fyn.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, 1212 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostic
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sap
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sheetz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D050719:Crk-Associated Substrate Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology*; D016023:Integrins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D054630:Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D019096:Vitronectin / Q000378:metabolism; D019061:src-Family Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D050719:Crk-Associated Substrate Protein; D005353:Fibronectins; D016023:Integrins; D019096:Vitronectin; C073878:integrin alphavbeta6; D019061:src-Family Kinases; C516843:Ptpra protein, mouse; D054630:Receptor-Like Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Class 4