Etv5, a transcription factor involved in the biological response induced by NGF in peripheral neurons.

FONTANET, P; IRALA, D; ALSINA F; HITA FJ; PARATCHA, G; LEDDA F

Congreso; sfn 2012; 2012

Nerve Growth Factor (NGF ) is a prototypic neurotrophic growth factor that control many aspects of sensory and sympathetic neuronal development. The identificationof downstream target genes that mediate NGF-induced neuronal differentiationand target field innervation has emerged as a significant and intriguing neurobiological question that remains unresolved. 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 of sensory neurons. Together, these data establish Etv5 as an essential molecule of the transcriptional program linking neurotrophin signaling to neuronal differentiation.