Caspr4 interaction with LNX2 modulates the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of mouse neural progenitor cells.

Contactin-associated protein 4 (Caspr4), also known as contactin-associated protein-like protein (CNTNAP4), is expressed in various regions of the brain. Recent reports suggest that CNTNAP4 is a susceptibility gene of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, the molecular function of Caspr4 in the brain has yet to be identified.

Characterization of the testis-specific promoter region in the human pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) gene.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide localized in the testis at concentration comparable to that found in the brain, suggesting involvement in spermatogenesis. In this study, we identified the human PACAP testis-specific exon (TSE) 10.9 kb upstream from the translational start site and found that the testis-specific transcript of the human PACAP gene was found to be spliced from the TSE into a region of intron 2 without a frameshift.

Contactin-associated protein (Caspr) 2 interacts with carboxypeptidase E in the CNS.

To identify proteins interacting with the intracellular domain of the neural cell adhesion molecule contactin-associated protein 2 (Caspr2), yeast two-hybrid screening was performed. We identified carboxypeptidase E (CPE) as a Caspr2-interacting candidate protein. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down and immunoprecipitation analyses indicated that Caspr2 was associated with CPE in vitro and in vivo.

Up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-3 in the dorsal root ganglion of rats with paclitaxel-induced neuropathy.

Paclitaxel-induced painful peripheral neuropathy is a major dose-limiting factor. Recently, it has been reported that macrophages accumulated in the dorsal root ganglion of paclitaxel-treated rats, and their activation is suggested to contribute to generation and development of the neuropathy. However, the mechanism for macrophage activation is still unknown.

A TAG1-APP signalling pathway through Fe65 negatively modulates neurogenesis.

The release of amyloid precursor protein (APP) intracellular domain (AICD) may be triggered by extracellular cues through gamma-secretase-dependent cleavage. AICD binds to Fe65, which may have a role in AICD-dependent signalling; however, the functional ligand has not been characterized. In this study, we have identified TAG1 as a functional ligand of APP.

The small heat shock protein alphaB-crystallin inhibits differentiation-induced caspase 3 activation and myogenic differentiation.

Myoblasts respond to growth factor deprivation either by diffentiation into multinucleated myotubes or by undergoing apoptosis. The induction of apoptosis and differentiation in myogenic lineage may use overlapping cellular mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that the expression of the small heat shock protein alphaB-crystallin as well as MyoD and myogenin is induced during myogenic differentiation in C2C12 cells, and these inductions occur at an early stage in the differentiation in vitro.