Suppressing DBNDD2 promotes neuron growth and axon regeneration in adult mammals
Higher Education PressEffective axon regeneration is critical for restoring nerve function in patients with axon injury-related neurological diseases, yet adult mammals show limited regenerative capacity in central axonal branches of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons compared to their peripheral counterparts. To explore molecular drivers of this difference, rat sciatic nerve or dorsal root axotomy was performed to examine the expression of dysbindin domain containing 2 (DBNDD2) in DRGs after regenerative peripheral or non-regenerative central axon injury. Results revealed DBNDD2 is down-regulated in DRGs post-peripheral injury but up-regulated after central injury. Additionally, DBNDD2 expression varies between neonatal and adult rat DRGs, increasing gradually with development. Functional tests via DBNDD2 knockdown demonstrated that silencing this gene promotes neurite outgrowth in both neonatal and adult DRG neurons and stimulates robust axon regeneration in adult rats following sciatic nerve crush injury. Bioinformatic analysis further identified that transcription factor estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) interacts with DBNDD2, exhibits a similar expression trend post-axon injury, and may target DBNDD2. These findings suggest that reduced DBNDD2 levels after peripheral injury and low neonatal DBNDD2 abundance contribute to axon regeneration, highlighting DBNDD2 manipulation as a promising therapeutic strategy for improving recovery after axon damage.
- Journal
- Frontiers of Medicine