The Rho-specific GEF Lfc interacts with neurabin and spinophilin to regulate dendritic spine morphology

Xiaozhou P. Ryan, Jacqueline Alldritt, Per Svenningsson, Patrick B. Allen, Gang Yi Wu, Angus C. Nairn, Paul Greengard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

132 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neurabin and spinophilin are homologous protein phosphatase 1 and actin binding proteins that regulate dendritic spine function. A yeast two-hybrid analysis using the coiled-coil domain of neurabin revealed an interaction with Lfc, a Rho GEF. Lfc was highly expressed in brain, where it interacted with either neurabin or spinophilin. In neurons, Lfc was largely found in the shaft of dendrites in association with microtubules but translocated to spines upon neuronal stimulation. Moreover, expression of Lfc resulted in reduction in spine length and size. Both the translocation and the effect on spine morphology depended on the coiled-coil domain of Lfc. Coexpression of neurabin or spinophilin with Lfc resulted in their clustering together with F-actin, a process that depended on Rho activity. Thus, interaction between Lfc and neurabin/spinophilin selectively regulates Rho-dependent organization of F-actin in spines and is a link between the microtubule and F-actin cytoskeletons in dendrites.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)85-100
Number of pages16
JournalNeuron
Volume47
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 7 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Neuroscience

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