Abstract
Repulsive guidance molecule (RGM) is an axon guidance protein that repels retinal axons upon activation of the neogenin receptor. To understand the functions of RGM-neogenin complexes in vivo, we used gene transfer technology to perturb their expression in the developing neural tube of chick embryos. Surprisingly, neogenin over-expression or RGM down-expression in the neural tube induces apoptosis. Neogenin pro-apoptotic activity in immortalized neuronal cells and in the neural tube is associated with the cleavage of its cytoplasmic domain by caspases. Thus neogenin is a dependence receptor inducing cell death in the absence of RGM, whereas the presence of RGM inhibits this effect.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis
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Avian Proteins / genetics
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Avian Proteins / metabolism*
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Caspases / metabolism
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Cell Survival
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Cells, Cultured
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Chick Embryo*
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Chickens
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Down-Regulation
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Enzyme Activation
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
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Green Fluorescent Proteins
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Immunohistochemistry
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In Situ Hybridization
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Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
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Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / physiology*
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RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
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Rats
Substances
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Avian Proteins
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Luminescent Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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RNA, Small Interfering
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neogenin
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Green Fluorescent Proteins
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Caspases