Neuron-specific Hu proteins sub-cellular localization in primary sensory neurons

Ann Anat. 2007;189(3):223-8. doi: 10.1016/j.aanat.2006.11.004.

Abstract

The Hu family of RNA-binding proteins is involved in many post-transcriptional mechanisms for the development and maintenance of the nervous system. Three members of the Hu family (HuB, HuC and HuD) are neuron-specific proteins. In this study, we present data using light and electron microscopy to show the sub-cellular localization of neuron-specific Hu proteins in rat primary sensory neurons taken from dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Using these techniques we morphologically revealed the presence of neuron-specific-Hu proteins in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm and discriminated the presence of Hu proteins within different cellular organelles, specifically mitochondria and Golgi apparatus, thus supporting previous ideas that NS-Hu proteins enable RNA interactions with sub-cellular organelles and may be involved in mRNA cellular localization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • ELAV Proteins / analysis*
  • ELAV-Like Protein 2
  • ELAV-Like Protein 3
  • ELAV-Like Protein 4
  • Ganglia, Spinal / cytology*
  • Male
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / analysis*
  • Neurons, Afferent / cytology*
  • Neurons, Afferent / ultrastructure
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / analysis*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • ELAV Proteins
  • ELAV-Like Protein 2
  • ELAV-Like Protein 3
  • ELAV-Like Protein 4
  • Elavl2 protein, rat
  • Elavl3 protein, rat
  • Elavl4 protein, rat
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins