Regulation of neuritogenesis and synaptic transmission by msec7-1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, in cultured Aplysia neurons

J Neurochem. 2003 Apr;85(1):282-5. doi: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.01718.x.

Abstract

msec7-1, a mammalian homologue of yeast sec7p, is known as a GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF) for the ADP ribosylation factor (ARF) family of small GTPases. Here, we report that msec7-1 overexpression in cultured Aplysia neurons leads to an extensive neuritogenesis in a GEF activity-dependent manner through the modulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Similarly, the overexpression of ARNO, another mammalin GEF, produces extensive neuritogenesis in Aplysia neurons. In addition, msec7-1 overexpression increases the number of varicosities with an altered size and shape in a GEF activity-dependent manner. The overexpression of msec7-1 in pre-synaptic sensory neurons co-cultured with post-synaptic target motor neurons leads to an increase in the amplitude of the excitatory post-synaptic potential through its GEF activity. Our results demonstrate that msec7-1 regulates neuritogenesis and synaptic transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aplysia
  • Cells, Cultured
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / biosynthesis
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / genetics
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins / pharmacology
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / pharmacology
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Neurites / drug effects
  • Neurites / physiology*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*

Substances

  • Cyth 1 protein, rat
  • GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Sec7 guanine nucleotide exchange factors
  • cytohesin-2