NRAGE, a novel MAGE protein, interacts with the p75 neurotrophin receptor and facilitates nerve growth factor-dependent apoptosis

Neuron. 2000 Aug;27(2):279-88. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)00036-2.

Abstract

The mechanisms employed by the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) to mediate neurotrophin-dependent apoptosis are poorly defined. Two-hybrid analyses were used to identify proteins involved in p75NTR apoptotic signaling, and a p75NTR binding partner termed NRAGE (for neurotrophin receptor-interacting MAGE homolog) was identified. NRAGE binds p75NTR in vitro and in vivo, and NRAGE associates with the plasma membrane when NGF is bound to p75NTR. NRAGE blocks the physical association of p75NTR with TrkA, and, conversely, TrkA overexpression eliminates NRAGE-mediated NGF-dependent death, indicating that interactions of NRAGE or TrkA with p75NTR are functionally and physically exclusive. NRAGE overexpression facilitates cell cycle arrest and permits NGF-dependent apoptosis within sympathetic neuron precursors cells. Our results show that NRAGE contributes to p75NTR-dependent cell death and suggest novel functions for MAGE family proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Fibers / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cell Compartmentation
  • Cell Cycle / genetics
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Organ Specificity
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Rats
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Receptor, trkA / metabolism
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Spinal Cord / embryology
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MAGEA1 protein, human
  • MAGED1 protein, human
  • Maged1 protein, rat
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Nerve Growth Factor
  • Receptor, trkA

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF217963
  • GENBANK/AF217964