Endogenous glycoprotein GPM6a is involved in neurite outgrowth in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

GABRIELA INÉS APARICIO; LEON, ANTONELLA; ROCÍO GUTIÉRREZ FUSTER; RAVENSCRAFT, BAYLEN; MONJE, PV; CAMILA SCORTICATI

Biomolecules

MDPI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2023 vol. 13

Abstract: The peripheral nervous system (PNS) has a unique ability for self-repair. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons regulate the expression of different molecules, like neurotrophins and their receptors, to promote axon regeneration after injury. However, the molecular players driving axonal regrowth need to be better defined. The membrane glycoprotein GPM6a has been described to contribute to neuronal development and structural plasticity in central nerv-ous system neurons. Recent evidence indicates that GPM6a interacts with molecules from the PNS, although its role in DRG neurons remains unknown. Here, we characterized the expression of GPM6a in embryonic and adult DRGs by combining RNA-seq public data sets analysis with immunochemical approaches utilizing cultures of rat DRG explants and dissociated neuronal cells. M6a was detected on the cell surface of DRG neurons throughout development. Moreover, we show that GPM6a was required for DRG neurite elongation in vitro. In summary, we provide evidence on GPM6a is present in DRG neurons for the first time. Data from our functional ex-periments support the idea that GPM6a could contribute to axon regeneration in the PNS.