NOGO-A/RTN4A and NOGO-B/RTN4B are simultaneously expressed in epithelial, fibroblast and neuronal cells and maintain ER morphology

Sci Rep. 2016 Oct 27:6:35969. doi: 10.1038/srep35969.

Abstract

Reticulons (RTNs) are a large family of membrane associated proteins with various functions. NOGO-A/RTN4A has a well-known function in limiting neurite outgrowth and restricting the plasticity of the mammalian central nervous system. On the other hand, Reticulon 4 proteins were shown to be involved in forming and maintaining endoplasmic reticulum (ER) tubules. Using comparative transcriptome analysis and qPCR, we show here that NOGO-B/RTN4B and NOGO-A/RTN4A are simultaneously expressed in cultured epithelial, fibroblast and neuronal cells. Electron tomography combined with immunolabelling reveal that both isoforms localize preferably to curved membranes on ER tubules and sheet edges. Morphological analysis of cells with manipulated levels of NOGO-B/RTN4B revealed that it is required for maintenance of normal ER shape; over-expression changes the sheet/tubule balance strongly towards tubules and causes the deformation of the cell shape while depletion of the protein induces formation of large peripheral ER sheets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Shape
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / ultrastructure
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Nogo Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nogo Proteins / genetics*
  • Nogo Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Nogo Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RTN4 protein, human
  • Rtn4 protein, mouse