Skip to Content
Merck
  • Activation of MAP3K DLK and LZK in Purkinje cells causes rapid and slow degeneration depending on signaling strength.

Activation of MAP3K DLK and LZK in Purkinje cells causes rapid and slow degeneration depending on signaling strength.

eLife (2021-01-22)
Yunbo Li, Erin M Ritchie, Christopher L Steinke, Cai Qi, Lizhen Chen, Binhai Zheng, Yishi Jin
ABSTRACT

The conserved MAP3K Dual-Leucine-Zipper Kinase (DLK) and Leucine-Zipper-bearing Kinase (LZK) can activate JNK via MKK4 or MKK7. These two MAP3Ks share similar biochemical activities and undergo auto-activation upon increased expression. Depending on cell-type and nature of insults DLK and LZK can induce pro-regenerative, pro-apoptotic or pro-degenerative responses, although the mechanistic basis of their action is not well understood. Here, we investigated these two MAP3Ks in cerebellar Purkinje cells using loss- and gain-of function mouse models. While loss of each or both kinases does not cause discernible defects in Purkinje cells, activating DLK causes rapid death and activating LZK leads to slow degeneration. Each kinase induces JNK activation and caspase-mediated apoptosis independent of each other. Significantly, deleting CELF2, which regulates alternative splicing of Map2k7, strongly attenuates Purkinje cell degeneration induced by LZK, but not DLK. Thus, controlling the activity levels of DLK and LZK is critical for neuronal survival and health.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Millipore
ANTI-FLAG® antibody produced in rabbit, affinity isolated antibody, buffered aqueous solution
Sigma-Aldrich
Monoclonal Anti-Neurofilament 200 (Phos. and Non-Phos.) antibody produced in mouse, clone N52, ascites fluid