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A Hierarchy of Hu RNA Binding Proteins in Developing and Adult Neurons

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Okano, Hirotaka J., Darnell, Robert B.·1997·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

The Hu proteins are a group of antigens targeted in an immune-mediated neurodegenerative disorder associated with cancer. We have cloned and characterized four members of the Hu gene family from mouse. We find that the Hu genes encode a large number of alternatively spliced transcripts to produce a series of related neuron-specific RNA binding proteins. Despite this complexity, we have discerned several ordered features of Hu expression. In the embryo, specific Hu genes are expressed in a hierarchy during early neurogenesis. In the E16 developing cortex, mHuB is induced in very early postmitotic neurons exiting the ventricular zone, mHuD is expressed in migrating neurons of the intermediate zone, and mHuC is expressed in mature cortical plate neurons. Such a hierarchy suggests distinct functional roles for each gene in developing neurons. In the adult, all neurons express some set of Hu mRNA and protein. However, specific patterns are evident such that individual neuronal types in the hippocampus, cerebellum, olfactory cortex, neocortex, and elsewhere express from one to several Hu genes. The complexity of potential protein variants within a gene family and of different Hu family members within a neuron suggests a diverse array of function. Given the strong homologies among the Hu proteins, the Drosophila neurogenic gene elav , and the Drosophila splicing factor sxl , we predict that different combinations of Hu proteins determine different neuron-specific aspects of post-transcriptional RNA regulation. Our findings of specific developmental patterns of expression and the correlation between immune targeting of the Hu proteins and adult neurodegenerative disease suggest that the Hu proteins are critical in both the proper development and function of mature neurons.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.17-09-03024.1997

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  • In the developing mouse and rat cerebral cortex, HuD mRNA is present in proliferating neuronal stem/progenitor cells in the ventricular zone, neuroblasts migrating in the intermediate zones, and terminally differentiating neurons in the cortical plate.

    “In the developing mouse and rat cerebral cortex, HuD mRNA is present in proliferating neuronal stem/progenitor cells in the ventricular zone, neuroblasts migrating in the intermediate zones, and terminally differentiating neurons in the cortical plate (Okano and Darnell 1997; Clayton et al. 1998).”

    From Emerging complexity of the HuD/ELAVl4 gene; implications for neuronal development, function, and dysfunction (2013) · cites this paper as Okano and Darnell 1997

    The Figure 7 caption and “Hierarchies of mHu mRNA expression in developing neurons” section report mHuD mRNA in the intermediate zone and at diminishing levels in the cortical plate, but say it is very weak or absent in differentiated neurons. The section says mHuD mRNA is first evident in intermediate-zone neurons, contrary to the claim of its presence in proliferating ventricular-zone cells. These observations concern mouse cortex; the passages do not report rat cortex. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • HuD is one of the earliest markers of the neuronal phenotype.

    “Converging findings suggest that HuD is one of the earliest markers of the neuronal phenotype (Good 1995; Okano and Darnell 1997; Wakamatsu and Weston 1997; Hambardzumyan et al. 2009).”

    From Emerging complexity of the HuD/ELAVl4 gene; implications for neuronal development, function, and dysfunction (2013) · cites this paper as Okano and Darnell 1997

    The Abstract reports mHuD expression in migrating neurons during early cortical development, supporting its association with an early neuronal stage. But the sections “Hierarchies of mHu mRNA expression in developing neurons” and “The role of Hu proteins in neural development” identify mHuB, not mHuD, as expressed in the earliest postmitotic neurons. The paper therefore does not establish HuD as one of the earliest markers of the neuronal phenotype. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • In the adult mouse and rodent nervous system, HuD mRNA expression is mostly restricted to specific neuronal populations, including large pyramidal-like neurons in layer V of the neocortex and cerebellar cortex (Purkinje cells), the four Cornu Amonis (CA1-4) regions of the hippocampus, dorsal root ganglia, motor neurons in the spinal cord, mitral cells in the olfactory bulb, ganglion and internal P

    “In the adult mouse and rodent nervous system, expression of HuD mRNA is mostly restricted to specific neuronal populations, including large pyramidal-like neurons in layer V of the neocortex and cerebellar cortex (Purkinje cells), the four Cornu Amonis (CA1-4) regions of the hippocampus, dorsal root ganglia, and motor neurons in the spinal cord, mitral cells in the olfactory bulb, ganglion and int”

    From Emerging complexity of the HuD/ELAVl4 gene; implications for neuronal development, function, and dysfunction (2013) · cites this paper as Okano and Darnell 1997

    The ‘mHu mRNA expression in adult brain’ section (page unavailable) reports HuD mRNA in layer 5 neocortical neurons, hippocampal pyramidal neurons, dorsal root ganglia, and olfactory mitral cells. But the paper explicitly says HuD is absent from Purkinje cells; it also does not identify spinal motor neurons as HuD-expressing, saying instead that spinal-cord neurons predominantly express HuC. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The HuD protein has a molecular weight of approximately 40 kDa and contains three RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) with a linker region separating the second and third RRM.

    “The HuD protein, like all Hu members, has a molecular weight of ∼40 kDa and contains three RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) with a linker region separating the second and third RRM (Fig. 1C; Good 1995; Liu et al. 1995; Okano and Darnell 1997).”
  • The spatial expression of HuD mRNA is partially unique compared to HuB and HuC.

    “In situ hybridization analyses of nELAV expression in the mouse brain at day 14 of embryogenesis (E14) have revealed that the spatial expression of HuD mRNA is also partially unique compared to HuB and HuC (Okano and Darnell 1997), thus further supporting the notion that HuD is not completely functionally redundant.”

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Authors
Okano, H. J., & Darnell, R. B.
Affiliations
Rockefeller University (US)
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
1997-05-01
Volume
17
Issue
9
Pages
3024-3037
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2170375626
Cited by
379
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 21
FWCI
5.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Irma T. Hirschl Trust
  • National Cancer Institute (CA 09673-18, T32CA009673)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01 NS34389, R01NS034389)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA Research and Splicing
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Keywords
HU protein, RNA-binding proteins, alternative splicing, neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, hubs, HUD, HuC, ELAV, Sxl, neurodegenerative diseases, mouse brain development
MeSH terms
Animals, Bacterial Proteins, Carrier Proteins, Cloning, Molecular, DNA-Binding Proteins, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Neurons, RNA, In Situ Hybridization, Mice

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