NELF is a nuclear protein involved in hypothalamic GnRH neuronal migration.
Nasal embryonic LHRH factor (NELF) has been hypothesized to participate in the migration of GnRH and olfactory neurons into the forebrain, a prerequisite for normal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in puberty and reproduction. However, the biological functions of NELF, which has no homology to any human protein, remain largely elusive. Although mRNA expression did not differ, NELF protein expression was greater in migratory than postmigratory GnRH neurons. Pituitary Nelf mRNA expression was also observed and increased 3-fold after exogenous GnRH administration. Contrary to a previous report, NELF displayed predominant nuclear localization in GnRH neurons, confirmed by mutagenesis of a putative nuclear localization signal resulting in impaired nuclear expression. NELF knockdown impaired GnRH neuronal migration of NLT cells in vitro. These findings and the identification of two putative zinc fingers suggest that NELF could be a transcription factor. Collectively, our findings implicate NELF as a nuclear protein involved in the developmental function of the reproductive axis.
Xu
Ning
N
The Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
Bhagavath
Balasubramanian
B
Kim
Hyung-Goo
HG
Halvorson
Lisa
L
Podolsky
Robert S
RS
Chorich
Lynn P
LP
Prasad
Puttur
P
Xiong
Wen-Cheng
WC
Cameron
Richard S
RS
Layman
Lawrence C
LC
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
C411985:NSMF protein, human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone