Enhancing structural plasticity of PC12 neurons during differentiation and neurite regeneration with a catalytically inactive mutant version of the zRICH protein.

Background: Studies of the molecular mechanisms of nerve regeneration have led to the discovery of several proteins that are induced during successful nerve regeneration. RICH proteins were identified as proteins induced during the regeneration of the optic nerve of teleost fish. These proteins are 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide, 3'-phosphodiesterases that can bind to cellular membranes through a carboxy-terminal membrane localization domain.