Stomatin, a MEC-2 Like Protein, Is Expressed by Mammalian Sensory Neurons

doi:10.1006/mcne.1999.0761

Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience

Volume 13, Issue 6, June 1999, Pages 391-404

https://doi.org/10.1006/mcne.1999.0761 Get rights and content

Abstract

The molecular mechanism whereby vertebrate primary sensory neurons convert mechanical energy at their receptive fields into action potentials is unknown. In recent years, genetic screens for touch insensitive mutants of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans have led to the identification of several genes required for mechanical sensitivity. A model has been proposed in which a mechanically gated ion channel is connected both to the extracellular matrix and to the cytoskeleton. Displacement of the membrane is proposed to produce a shearing force that pulls the channel open. MEC-2 is thought to play an important role in this complex by linking the ion channel to the cytoskeleton. MEC-2 is highly homologous to a vertebrate protein called stomatin. Stomatin was first isolated from erythrocytes where it is a major integral membrane protein. To date, however, no data on neuronal expression of stomatin in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or central nervous system (CNS) is available. Here, we have used RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, Northern blotting, and immunocytochemistry to demonstrate that stomatin is expressed by all sensory neurons in mouse dorsal root ganglia. Indirect immunofluorescence together with transfection of cultured adult sensory neurons with epitope-tagged stomatin show that stomatin is localized in spots on somatic and axonal membranes. During development, stomatin begins to be expressed by sensory neurons only as target innervation occurs. The onset of expression of stomatin thus coincides with the onset of functional mechanical sensitivity. Together, our data suggest that stomatin, like the C. elegans MEC-2 gene, is expressed in an appropriate temporal and spatial manner to participate in a putative vertebrate mechanotransduction complex.

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¹: Present address: INSERM Unit 328, IBDM, Case 907, Luminy, F-13288 Marseille 09, France.

²: Present address: Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226-0509.

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Regular ArticleStomatin, a MEC-2 Like Protein, Is Expressed by Mammalian Sensory Neurons

Abstract

Mol. Cell Neurosci.

Neuron

J. Biol. Chem.

Blood

J. Biol. Chem.

Neuron

Biochim. Biophys. Acta

Gene

J. Biol. Chem.

Blood

J. Biol. Chem.

J. Biol. Chem.

J. Biol. Chem.

The Caenorhabditis elegans behavioral gene unc-24 encodes a novel bipartiteprotein similar to both erythrocyte band 7.2 (stomatin) and nonspecific lipid transfer protein

J. Neurochem.

The DIG System User's Guide for Filter Hybridization

A role for BDNF in mechanosensation

Nature Neurosci.

A sensory neuron-specific, proton-gated ion channel

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA

Spontaneous and evoked activity of fetal primary afferents in vivo

Nature

The molecules of mechanotransduction

Annu. Rev. Neurosci.

BNaC1 and BNaC2 constitute a new family of human neuronal sodium channels related to degenerins and epithelial sodium channels

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA

Modulation of spectrin-actin assembly by erythrocyte adducin

Nature

Genetic interactions affecting touch sensitivity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA

Isolation of the human erythrocyte band 7 integral membrane protein

Biochim. Biophys. Acta

Regular Article
Stomatin, a MEC-2 Like Protein, Is Expressed by Mammalian Sensory Neurons