Direct binding of Reelin to VLDL receptor and ApoE receptor 2 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of disabled-1 and modulates tau phosphorylation

Neuron. 1999 Oct;24(2):481-9. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)80861-2.

Abstract

The large extracellular matrix protein Reelin is produced by Cajal-Retzius neurons in specific regions of the developing brain, where it controls neuronal migration and positioning. Genetic evidence suggests that interpretation of the Reelin signal by migrating neurons involves two neuronal cell surface proteins, the very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and the apoE receptor 2 (ApoER2) as well as a cytosolic adaptor protein, Disabled-1 (Dab1). We show that Reelin binds directly and specifically to the ectodomains of VLDLR and ApoER2 in vitro and that blockade of VLDLR and ApoER2 correlates with loss of Reelin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Disabled-1 in cultured primary embryonic neurons. Furthermore, mice that lack either Reelin or both VLDLR and ApoER2 exhibit hyperphosphorylation of the microtubule-stabilizing protein tau. Taken together, these findings suggest that Reelin acts via VLDLR and ApoER2 to regulate Disabled-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and microtubule function in neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Receptors, LDL / genetics
  • Receptors, LDL / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Lipoprotein / genetics
  • Receptors, Lipoprotein / metabolism*
  • Reelin Protein
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • Tyrosine / metabolism*
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Dab1 protein, mouse
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Receptors, Lipoprotein
  • Reelin Protein
  • VLDL receptor
  • tau Proteins
  • Tyrosine
  • RELN protein, human
  • Reln protein, mouse
  • Serine Endopeptidases