title: Rho-associated protein kinase modulates neurite extension by regulating microtubule remodeling and vinculin distribution.
abstract: Rho-associated protein kinase is an essential regulator of cytoskeletal dynamics during the process of neurite extension. However, whether Rho kinase regulates microtubule remodeling or the distribution of adhesive proteins to mediate neurite outgrowth remains unclear. By specifically modulating Rho kinase activity with pharmacological agents, we studied the morpho-dynamics of neurite outgrowth. We found that lysophosphatidic acid, an activator of Rho kinase, inhibited neurite outgrowth, which could be reversed by Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho kinase. Meanwhile, reorganization of microtubules was noticed during these processes, as indicated by their significant changes in the soma and growth cone. In addition, exposure to lysophosphatidic acid led to a decreased membrane distribution of vinculin, a focal adhesion protein in neurons, whereas Y-27632 recruited vinculin to the membrane. Taken together, our data suggest that Rho kinase regulates rat hippocampal neurite growth and microtubule formation via a mechanism associated with the redistribution of vinculin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Ke'en
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Wenbin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Sumei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Guoqing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guo
keywords: Rho-associated protein kinase; Y-27632; brain injury; grants-supported paper; hippocampus; lysophosphatidic acid; microtubule; neural regeneration; neurite outgrowth; neuron; neuroregeneration; remodeling; vinculin