Open AccessCo-regulation of mRNA translation by TDP-43 and Fragile X Syndrome protein FMRP
Author(s) -
Pritha Majumder,
Jen Fei Chu,
Biswanath Chatterjee,
Krishna B S Swamy,
Che Kun James Shen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta neuropathologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.183
H-Index - 170
eISSN - 1432-0533
pISSN - 0001-6322
DOI - 10.1007/s00401-016-1603-8
Subject(s) - translation (biology) , fragile x syndrome , messenger rna , translational regulation , rna binding protein , fragile x , stress granule , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , neuroscience , genetics , gene
For proper mammalian brain development and functioning, the translation of many neuronal mRNAs needs to be repressed without neuronal activity stimulations. We have discovered that the expression of a subclass of neuronal proteins essential for neurodevelopment and neuron plasticity is co-regulated at the translational level by TDP-43 and the Fragile X Syndrome protein FMRP. Using molecular, cellular and imaging approaches, we show that these two RNA-binding proteins (RBP) co-repress the translation initiation of Rac1, Map1b and GluR1 mRNAs, and consequently the hippocampal spinogenesis. The co-repression occurs through binding of TDP-43 to mRNA(s) at specific UG/GU sequences and recruitment of the inhibitory CYFIP1-FMRP complex by its glycine-rich domain. This novel regulatory scenario could be utilized to silence a significant portion of around 160 common target mRNAs of the two RBPs. The study establishes a functional/physical partnership between FMRP and TDP-43 that mechanistically links several neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.