Objectives: SHP2 (Src-homology-2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase) plays an important role in cell adhesion, migration and cell signaling. However, its role in focal adhesion, differentiation and migration of neural stem cells is still unclear.
Methods: In this study, rat neurospheres were cultured in suspension and differentiated neural stem cells were cultured on collagen-coated surfaces.
Results: The results showed that p-SHP2 co-localized with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin in neurospheres and in differentiated neural precursor cells, astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. Suppression of SHP2 activity by PTP4 or siRNA-mediated SHP2 silencing caused reduction in the cell migration and neurite outgrowth, and thinning of glial cell processes. Differentiation-induced activation of FAK, Src, paxillin, ERK1/2, and RhoA was decreased by SHP2 inactivation.
Conclusions: These results indicate that SHP2 is recruited in focal adhesions of neural stem cells and regulates focal adhesion formation. SHP2-mediated regulation of neural differentiation and migration may be related to formation of focal adhesions and RhoA and ERK1/2 activation.
Copyright © 2011 The Japanese Society of Child Neurology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.