Expression profile of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases in dorsal root ganglion neurons after peripheral nerve injury

J Mol Histol. 2015 Feb;46(1):115-22. doi: 10.1007/s10735-014-9601-4. Epub 2014 Dec 3.

Abstract

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AminoARSs) are essential enzymes involved in acylating tRNA with amino acids. In addition to the typical functions of AminoARSs, various non-canonical functions have been reported, such as involvement in cellular regulatory processes and signal transduction. Here, to explore the cellular changes in sensory neurons after nerve injury, we evaluated AARS mRNA expression in rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons using AminoARS-specific primers. Of 20 AminoARSs, we found that expression of lysyl-tRNA synthetase (KARS) and glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (QARS) was decreased in the DRG injured side. We observed decreased KARS and QARS expression in DRG neuronal cell bodies, but not in satellite cells. Therefore, we suggest the possibility that KARS and QARS may act as signaling molecules to transfer abnormal sensory signals to the spinal dorsal horn after peripheral nerve damage. Therefore, KARS and QARS may represent powerful pharmaceutical targets via control of their non-canonical functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Ganglia, Spinal / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Neurons, Afferent / metabolism*
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries / genetics*
  • Peripheral Nerve Injuries / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • Amino Acyl-tRNA Synthetases