DMob4/Phocein regulates synapse formation, axonal transport, and microtubule organization

J Neurosci. 2010 Apr 14;30(15):5189-203. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5823-09.2010.

Abstract

The monopolar spindle-one-binder (Mob) family of kinase-interacting proteins regulate cell cycle and cell morphology, and their dysfunction has been linked to cancer. Models for Mob function are primarily based on studies of Mob1 and Mob2 family members in yeast. In contrast, the function of the highly conserved metazoan Phocein/Mob3 subfamily is unknown. We identified the Drosophila Phocein homolog (DMob4) as a regulator of neurite branching in a genome-wide RNA interference screen for neuronal morphology mutants. To further characterize DMob4, we generated null and hypomorphic alleles and performed in vivo cell biological and physiological analysis. We find that DMob4 plays a prominent role in neural function, regulating axonal transport, membrane excitability, and organization of microtubule networks. DMob4 mutant neuromuscular synapses also show a profound overgrowth of synaptic boutons, similar to known Drosophila endocytotic mutants. DMob4 and human Phocein are >80% identical, and the lethality of DMob4 mutants can be rescued by a human phocein transgene, indicating a conservation of function across evolution. These findings suggest a novel role for Phocein proteins in the regulation of axonal transport, neurite elongation, synapse formation, and microtubule organization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Axonal Transport / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Microtubules / physiology*
  • Muscles / physiology
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurites / physiology
  • Neuromuscular Junction / physiology
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Peripheral Nervous System / physiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System / ultrastructure
  • Presynaptic Terminals / physiology
  • Synapses / physiology*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mob4 protein, Drosophila
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • phocein