The kinesin KIF21B participates in the cell surface delivery of γ2 subunit-containing GABAA receptors

Eur J Cell Biol. 2014 Aug-Sep;93(8-9):338-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2014.07.007. Epub 2014 Aug 2.

Abstract

KIF21B, a kinesin family (KIF) protein, is a plus end-directed microtubule motor. The KIF21B gene is highly expressed in neuronal tissue and spleen and is a susceptibility locus for multiple sclerosis. KIF21B motility is regulated through TRIM3, a member of the cytoskeleton-associated-recycling or transport (CART) complex, involved in vesicular receptor recycling. Here we show that the GABAA receptor γ2-subunit co-precipitates and co-localizes with KIF21B in cultured hippocampal neurons. Knockdown of KIF21B gene expression through small hairpin (sh) RNA reduces the number of γ2-subunit-containing GABAA receptor (GABAARs) clusters in neurites and at the cell surface. Our data suggest that KIF21B participates in the delivery of GABAAR transport vesicles into dendrites.

Keywords: Cytoskeleton; GABA(A) receptor; KIF21B; Kinesin; Microtubule; Motor protein; Neuron; Synapse; Transport; γ2 subunit.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Kinesins / genetics
  • Kinesins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Gabrg2 protein, mouse
  • Protein Subunits
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • KIF21B protein, human
  • Kinesins