title: The myosin Va head domain binds to the neurofilament-L rod and modulates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) content and distribution within axons.
abstract: The neurofilament light subunit (NF-L) binds to myosin Va (Myo Va) in neurons but the sites of interaction and functional significance are not clear. We show by deletion analysis that motor domain of Myo Va binds to the NF-L rod domain that forms the NF backbone. Loss of NF-L and Myo Va binding from axons significantly reduces the axonal content of ER, and redistributes ER to the periphery of axon. Our data are consistent with a novel function for NFs as a scaffold in axons for maintaining the content and proper distribution of vesicular organelles, mediated in part by Myo Va. Based on observations that the Myo Va motor domain binds to intermediate filament (IF) proteins of several classes, Myo Va interactions with IFs may serve similar roles in organizing organelle topography in different cell types.
authors.affiliation: Nathan Kline Institute, New York University School of Medicine, Orangeburg, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Mala V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Panaiyur S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.forename: Asok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Aidong
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Montagna
authors.forename: Jabbar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.lastname: Veeranna
authors.forename: Enilza M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Espreafico
authors.forename: Jean P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Julien
authors.forename: Ralph A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Nixon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D024701:Myosin Type V / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000502:physiology; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: C513082:Myo5a protein, mouse; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; C044882:neurofilament protein L; D024701:Myosin Type V; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains