The ETS transcription factor, Etv5, mediates biological response to NGF

FONTANET PA, IRALA D, ALSINA FC, HITA FJ, PARATCHA G, LEDDA F

Huerta Grande, Córdoba

Congreso; XXVI Congreso de la Sociedad Argentina de Neurociencias; 2011

SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN NEUROCIENCIAS (SAN)

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a prototypic neurotrophic growth factor that control many aspects of sensory and sympathetic neuronal development. The identification of transcription factors and downstream target genes that mediate NGF-dependent neuronal differentiation and target field innervation is currently a major challenge. Using microarray screening, we identify the ETS transcription factor Etv5 (Erm) as a potential mediator of NGF signaling. Real time PCR assays confirmed that this transcription factor is significantly induced by NGF in different neuronal cells, suggesting that it could be involved in the biological responses induced by this neurotrophin. Pharmacological assays also revealed that activation of Erk/MAPK pathway is required for the induction of Etv5 mRNA in response to NGF. Down-regulation of Etv5 using small interference RNA knock-down experiments inhibited NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. Together, these data establish Etv5 as an essential molecule of the transcriptional program linking neurotrophin signaling to neuronal differentiation. ular and Molecular Neurobiology