The brain-specific splice variant of the CDC42 GTPase works together with the kinase ACK to downregulate the EGF receptor in promoting neurogenesis.

ABSTRACT: The small GTPase CDC42 plays essential roles in neurogenesis and brain development. Previously, we showed that a CDC42 splice variant that has a ubiquitous tissue distribution specifically stimulates the formation of neural progenitor cells, whereas a brain-specific CDC42 variant, CDC42b, is essential for promoting the transition of neural progenitor cells to neurons. These specific roles of CDC42 and CDC42b in neurogenesis are ascribed to their opposing effects on mTORC1 activity. Specifically, the ubiquitous form of CDC42 stimulates mTORC1 activity and thereby upregulates tissue-specific transcription factors that are essential for neuroprogenitor formation, whereas CDC42b works together with activated CDC42-associated kinase (ACK) to downregulate mTOR expression. Here, we demonstrate th

SUBMITTER: Endo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9663532 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature