TY - JOUR
T1 - The Jun-dependent axon regeneration gene program
T2 - Jun promotes regeneration over plasticity
AU - Mason, Matthew R J
AU - Erp, Susan
AU - Wolzak, Kim
AU - Behrens, Axel
AU - Raivich, Gennadij
AU - Verhaagen, Joost
N1 - © The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press.
PY - 2022/1
Y1 - 2022/1
N2 - The regeneration-associated gene (RAG) expression program is activated in injured peripheral neurons after axotomy and enables long-distance axon re-growth. Over 1000 genes are regulated, and many transcription factors are upregulated or activated as part of this response. However, a detailed picture of how RAG expression is regulated is lacking. In particular the transcriptional targets and specific functions of the various transcription factors are unclear. Jun was the first regeneration-associated transcription factor identified and the first shown to be functionally important. Here we fully define the role of Jun in the RAG expression program in regenerating facial motor neurons. At 1, 4, and 14 days after axotomy, Jun upregulates 11%, 23% and 44% of the RAG program, respectively. Jun functions relevant to regeneration include cytoskeleton production, metabolic functions and cell activation, and the down-regulation of neurotransmission machinery. In silico analysis of promoter regions of Jun targets identifies stronger over-representation of AP1-like sites than CRE-like sites, although CRE sites were also over-represented in regions flanking AP1 sites. Strikingly, in motor neurons lacking Jun, an alternative SRF-dependent gene expression program is initiated after axotomy. The promoters of these newly expressed genes exhibit over-representation of CRE sites in regions near to SRF target sites. This alternative gene expression program includes plasticity-associated transcription factors, and leads to an aberrant early increase in synapse density on motor neurons. Jun thus has the important function in the early phase after axotomy of pushing the injured neuron away from a plasticity response and towards a regenerative phenotype.
AB - The regeneration-associated gene (RAG) expression program is activated in injured peripheral neurons after axotomy and enables long-distance axon re-growth. Over 1000 genes are regulated, and many transcription factors are upregulated or activated as part of this response. However, a detailed picture of how RAG expression is regulated is lacking. In particular the transcriptional targets and specific functions of the various transcription factors are unclear. Jun was the first regeneration-associated transcription factor identified and the first shown to be functionally important. Here we fully define the role of Jun in the RAG expression program in regenerating facial motor neurons. At 1, 4, and 14 days after axotomy, Jun upregulates 11%, 23% and 44% of the RAG program, respectively. Jun functions relevant to regeneration include cytoskeleton production, metabolic functions and cell activation, and the down-regulation of neurotransmission machinery. In silico analysis of promoter regions of Jun targets identifies stronger over-representation of AP1-like sites than CRE-like sites, although CRE sites were also over-represented in regions flanking AP1 sites. Strikingly, in motor neurons lacking Jun, an alternative SRF-dependent gene expression program is initiated after axotomy. The promoters of these newly expressed genes exhibit over-representation of CRE sites in regions near to SRF target sites. This alternative gene expression program includes plasticity-associated transcription factors, and leads to an aberrant early increase in synapse density on motor neurons. Jun thus has the important function in the early phase after axotomy of pushing the injured neuron away from a plasticity response and towards a regenerative phenotype.
U2 - 10.1093/hmg/ddab315
DO - 10.1093/hmg/ddab315
M3 - Article
C2 - 34718572
SN - 0964-6906
VL - 31
SP - 1242
EP - 1262
JO - Human Molecular Genetics
JF - Human Molecular Genetics
ER -