Cell Biologists Discover Crucial ‘Traffic Regulator’ in Neurons

Neuroscience NewsApril 19, 2017

FeaturedNeuroscience5 min read

Summary: Researchers provide a comprehensive map of transport in mammalian axons.
Source: Utrecht University.
First comprehensive map of transport in mammalian axons.
Neurons are the main cells in the nervous system. They process information by sending, receiving, and combining signals from around the brain and the body. All neurons have a cell body where molecules vital for its functioning and maintenance are produced. The axon, a long and slender extension that can reach one metre in length in humans, sends information from the nerve cell to other nerve cells. Neuronal survival is highly dependent on the transport of vital molecules within this axon. Research has shown that defects in the transport function in the axons play a key role in degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer.
First comprehensive map
“Previous research examined transport processes in small areas of the axon, such as the very beginning or the very end. This left it unclear how the movement of molecules through the axon was regulated over long distances. In our study, we provide the first comprehensive map of transport in mammalian axons”, says Casper Hoogenraad, Professor of Cell Biology at Utrecht University, explaining the relevance of this study.
Stumped
In most neurons, an area between the cell body and the axon called the ‘axon initial segment’ serves as a checkpoint: only some molecules can pass through it. This area has stumped scientists for more than a decade. Why should one type of molecule be able to pass through this area, while others cannot? The answer is to be found in the traffic regulator, a protein called MAP2. “With this discovery, we have answered a fundamental question about the unique functioning of nerve cells that has occupied scientists for a long time”, lead author of the study Dr Laura Gumy says.
Driving force
The cell biologists from Utrecht first discovered that larger quantities of MAP2 accumulate between the cell body and the axon. When they removed MAP2 from the neuron, the normal pattern of molecule movement changed. Certain molecules suddenly ceased to enter the axon, whereas others accumulated in the axon instead of passing through to the cell body. This abnormal transport indicates that MAP2 is the driving force behind transport within the axon.

In most neurons, an area between the cell body and the axon called the ‘axon initial segment’ serves as a checkpoint: only some molecules can pass through it. NeuroscienceNews.com image is for illustrative purposes only.

Car key
The cell biologists from Utrecht University went on to make another very important discovery. Since axons are so long, transport in the neurons is carried out by sets of proteins – known as ‘motor proteins’ – that carry packages of other proteins on their back. As it turns out, MAP2 is able to switch a specific ‘motor protein’ on or off, like a car key. This means that MAP2 actually controls which packages of molecules may enter the axon and which may not. Targeting the activity of the transport engine allowed the researchers to make another interesting discovery: MAP2 is also able to control the delivery of molecules at specific points along the axon.
New targets for therapies
“Transport within axons has been shown to fail in Alzheimer, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, as well as in many other diseases. When the neuron is no longer able to control where molecules go, or is unable to get molecules to where they need to be, it cannot do its job. By understanding how transport works, we have laid the foundation for considering new targets and potential therapies for various neurodegenerative disorders”, Casper Hoogenraad concludes.

About this neuroscience research article

Source: Monica van der Garde – Utrecht University
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is in the public domain.
Original Research: Abstract for “MAP2 Defines a Pre-axonal Filtering Zone to Regulate KIF1- versus KIF5-Dependent Cargo Transport in Sensory Neurons” by Laura F. Gumy, Eugene A. Katrukha, Ilya Grigoriev, Dick Jaarsma, Lukas C. Kapitein, Anna Akhmanova, and Casper C. Hoogenraad in Neuron. Published online April 19 2017 doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2017.03.046

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Abstract
MAP2 Defines a Pre-axonal Filtering Zone to Regulate KIF1- versus KIF5-Dependent Cargo Transport in Sensory Neurons
Highlights
•MAP2 defines a unique pre-axonal cargo filtering zone in sensory neurons
•MAP2 regulates axonal cargo entry by preventing KIF5 binding to microtubules
•MAP2 promotes axonal cargo spreading by balancing KIF1 and KIF5 motor activities
•MAP2 controls the axonal growth potential of sensory neurons

Summary
Polarized cargo transport is essential for neuronal function. However, the minimal basic components required for selective cargo sorting and distribution in neurons remain elusive. We found that in sensory neurons the axon initial segment is largely absent and that microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) defines the cargo-filtering zone in the proximal axon. Here, MAP2 directs axonal cargo entry by coordinating the activities of molecular motors. We show that distinct kinesins differentially regulate cargo velocity: kinesin-3 drives fast axonal cargo trafficking, while kinesin-1 slows down axonal cargo transport. MAP2 inhibits “slow” kinesin-1 motor activity and allows kinesin-3 to drive robust cargo transport from the soma into the axon. In the distal axon, the inhibitory action of MAP2 decreases, leading to regained kinesin-1 activity and vesicle distribution. We propose that selective axonal cargo trafficking requires the MAP2-defined pre-axonal filtering zone and the ability of cargos to switch between distinct kinesin motor activities.
“MAP2 Defines a Pre-axonal Filtering Zone to Regulate KIF1- versus KIF5-Dependent Cargo Transport in Sensory Neurons” by Laura F. Gumy, Eugene A. Katrukha, Ilya Grigoriev, Dick Jaarsma, Lukas C. Kapitein, Anna Akhmanova, and Casper C. Hoogenraad in Neuron. Published online April 19 2017 doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2017.03.046