The newly identified migration inhibitory protein regulates the radial migration in the developing neocortex

Sci Rep. 2014 Aug 7:4:5984. doi: 10.1038/srep05984.

Abstract

Neuronal migration is a crucial process in the organization of the developing cerebral cortex. Although a number of positive regulatory mechanisms of radial migration have been identified, negative cell-autonomous mechanisms have yet to be fully described. Here we report a newly identified Migration Inhibitory Protein (MINP, formerly known as 2900011O08Rik) that negatively regulates radial migration. MINP mRNA was specifically detected in the central and peripheral nervous system, and especially enriched in the cerebral cortex. MINP immunoreactivity co-localized with the neuronal marker Tuj1 and was detected in the cytoplasm of post-mitotic neurons. To elucidate the function of MINP in the developing brain, we performed in utero electroporation of MINP siRNA, MINP shRNA, or MINP-overexpressing vectors into mouse cortices and carried out in vivo migration assays. Whereas knockdown of MINP did not alter neuronal morphology, the radial migration was found accelerated by MINP knockdown, and reduced by MINP overexpression. This migration phenotype was also confirmed in vitro, indicating that MINP regulates neuronal migration in a cell-autonomous fashion. Furthermore, downregulation of MINP affected microtubule stability by interacting with tubulin that is a potential mechanism involved in the regulation of neuronal migration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Movement
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism
  • Electroporation
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics*
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure
  • Neocortex / cytology
  • Neocortex / growth & development
  • Neocortex / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurogenesis / genetics*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Peripheral Nervous System / cytology
  • Peripheral Nervous System / growth & development
  • Peripheral Nervous System / metabolism
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tubulin / genetics*
  • Tubulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MINP protein, mouse
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Tubulin
  • beta3 tubulin, mouse