How a Protein Affects Nerve Growth
Author Information
Author(s): Magdesian Margaret H., Gralle Matthias, Guerreiro Luiz H., Beltrão Paulo José I., Carvalho Milena M. V. F., Santos Luís Eduardo da S., de Mello Fernando G., Reis Ricardo A. M., Ferreira Sérgio T.
Primary Institution: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Hypothesis
Does secreted human amyloid precursor protein (sAPPα) bind to semaphorin 3A and prevent growth cone collapse?
Conclusion
The study found that sAPPα binds to semaphorin 3A and inhibits its ability to cause growth cone collapse in neurons.
Supporting Evidence
- sAPPα695 binds both purified recombinant Sema3A and Sema3A secreted by transfected HEK293 cells.
- sAPPα695 inhibited the collapse of embryonic chicken dorsal root ganglia growth cones promoted by Sema3A.
- Two Sema3A-derived peptides blocked sAPPα binding and its inhibitory action on Sema3A function.
Takeaway
This study shows that a protein called sAPPα helps nerve cells grow by stopping another protein, semaphorin 3A, from making them shrink.
Methodology
The researchers used phage display to identify peptides that bind to sAPPα and conducted binding assays and growth cone collapse assays.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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