The goal of preventing neuronal degeneration in a clinical setting requires that each major class of genes controlling neuronal survival be characterized. Neurotrophic factors function via tyrosine kinases. Little is known about the 'other half' of this fundamental mechanism: tyrosine phosphatases. This gene family i likely to have a fundamental parallel role in regulating neuronal survival and development. The LAR tyrosine phosphatase receptor is a prototype for this gene family. The discovery by the investigators that several LAR splice variants are developmentally regulated and preferentially expressed by neurons and associated cells suggests that certain LAR isoforms modulate neural survival and development. Demonstrating neurotrophic effects of LAR will first require that they determine which lAR isoforms are most relevant to neuronal development, sprouting and regeneration. They can then express these isoforms and test their ability to modulate neuronal survival, neurite outgrowth and neuronal response to NGF. Hypothesis: The LAR tyrosine phosphatase receptor represents a new category of genes regulating neuronal survival and development. Neurons and associated cells express specific LAR isoforms which regulate development, sprouting and regeneration. Recombinant proteins derived from this subset of LAR isoforms can be used to control neuronal survival.
Specific Aims : 1) Use quantitative RT-PCR to establish which LAR isoforms are regulated during neuronal regeneration and sprouting. These isoforms are the ones most likely to influence neuronal survival or neurite outgrowth. 2) Determine by in situ hybridization/immunohistochemistry which neurons express LAR isoforms regulated during regeneration and sprouting. These studies will suggest which neurons are influenced by particular LAR isoforms. 3) Isolate a full-length cDNA clone corresponding to a developmental-regulated LAR splice variant which is regulated by denervation and which predicts a secreted LAR isoform. Since LAR may function via homophilic interactions (i.e., act as its own ligand), a secreted LAR isoform will be a powerful tool for examining LAR effects on neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth. 4) Use LAR clones corresponding to LAR transcripts preferentially expressed in the nervous system and associated with develop, regeneration and sprouting to make plasmid constructs for expressing these LAR protein isoforms. Demonstrate in well-established in vitro models that these LAR protein isoforms regulate neuronal survival and/or neurite outgrowth.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG009873-06
Application #
2390044
Study Section
Neurological Sciences Subcommittee 1 (NLS)
Program Officer
Oliver, Eugene J
Project Start
1991-05-01
Project End
1998-12-31
Budget Start
1997-04-07
Budget End
1998-12-31
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Northern California Institute Research & Education
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94121
Bernabeu, Ramon O; Longo, Frank M (2010) The p75 neurotrophin receptor is expressed by adult mouse dentate progenitor cells and regulates neuronal and non-neuronal cell genesis. BMC Neurosci 11:136
Longo, Frank M; Yang, Tao; Knowles, Juliet K et al. (2007) Small molecule neurotrophin receptor ligands: novel strategies for targeting Alzheimer's disease mechanisms. Curr Alzheimer Res 4:503-6
Longo, Frank M; Yang, Tao; Xie, Youmei et al. (2006) Small molecule approaches for promoting neurogenesis. Curr Alzheimer Res 3:5-10
Xie, Youmei; Massa, Stephen M; Ensslen-Craig, Sonya E et al. (2006) Protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) wedge domain peptides: a novel approach for inhibition of PTP function and augmentation of protein-tyrosine kinase function. J Biol Chem 281:16482-92
Bernabeu, Ramon; Yang, Tao; Xie, Youmei et al. (2006) Downregulation of the LAR protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor is associated with increased dentate gyrus neurogenesis and an increased number of granule cell layer neurons. Mol Cell Neurosci 31:723-38
Yang, Tao; Massa, Stephen M; Longo, Frank M (2006) LAR protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor associates with TrkB and modulates neurotrophic signaling pathways. J Neurobiol 66:1420-36
Yang, Tao; Yin, Weining; Derevyanny, Vicki D et al. (2005) Identification of an ectodomain within the LAR protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor that binds homophilically and activates signalling pathways promoting neurite outgrowth. Eur J Neurosci 22:2159-70
Longo, Frank M; Massa, Stephen M (2005) Neurotrophin receptor-based strategies for Alzheimer's disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2:167-9
Longo, Frank M; Massa, Stephen M (2004) Neuroprotective strategies in Alzheimer's disease. NeuroRx 1:117-27
Longo, Frank M; Massa, Stephen M (2004) Neurotrophin-based strategies for neuroprotection. J Alzheimers Dis 6:S13-7

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