PACT/RAX regulates the migration of cerebellar granule neurons in the developing cerebellum

Sci Rep. 2015 Jan 22:5:7961. doi: 10.1038/srep07961.

Abstract

PACT and its murine ortholog RAX were originally identified as a protein activator for the dsRNA-dependent, interferon-inducible protein kinase PKR. Recent studies indicated that RAX played a role in embryogenesis and neuronal development. In this study, we investigated the expression of RAX during the postnatal development of the mouse cerebellum and its role in the migration of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). High expression of RAX was observed in the cerebellum from postnatal day (PD) 4 to PD9, a period when the CGNs migrate from the external granule layer (EGL) to the internal granule layer (IGL). The migration of the EGL progenitor cells in vivo was inhibited by RAX knockdown on PD4. This finding was confirmed by in vitro studies showing that RAX knockdown impaired the migration of CGNs in cerebellar microexplants. PACT/RAX-regulated migration required its third motif and was independent of PKR. PACT/RAX interacted with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and PACT/RAX knockdown disturbed the FAK phosphorylation in CGNs. These findings demonstrated a novel function of PACT/RAX in the regulation of neuronal migration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Movement*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cerebellum / growth & development*
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism*
  • Eye Proteins / chemistry
  • Eye Proteins / metabolism*
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Homeodomain Proteins / chemistry
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / metabolism
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Transcription Factors / chemistry
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • eIF-2 Kinase / metabolism

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Eye Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Rax protein, mouse
  • Rbbp6 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • eIF-2 Kinase