Transcription factor Sp4 regulates expression of nervous wreck 2 to control NMDAR1 levels and dendrite patterning.

ABSTRACT: Glutamatergic signaling through N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is important for neuronal development and plasticity and is often dysregulated in psychiatric disorders. Mice mutant for the transcription factor Sp4 have reduced levels of NMDAR subunit 1 (NR1) protein, but not mRNA, and exhibit behavioral and memory deficits (Zhou et al., [2010] Human Molecular Genetics 19: 3797-3805). In developing cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), Sp4 controls dendrite patterning (Ramos et al., [2007] Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104: 9882-9887). Sp4 target genes that regulate dendrite pruning or NR1 levels are not known. Here we report that Sp4 activates transcription of Nervous Wreck 2 (Nwk2; also known as Fchsd1) and, further, that Nwk2, an F-BAR domain-containing protein, mediates Sp4-dependent regu

SUBMITTER: Sun X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4261064 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature