Opera Medica et Physiologica

The Transcription Factor Satb2 Regulates the Development of the Neuronal Network of the Cerebral Cortex through the Protein Kinases Signaling Cascade

Published ahead of print September 22, 2022; Printed September 23, 2022; OM&P 2022 Volume 9 Issue 3, pages 38-50; doi:10.24412/2500-2295-2022-3-38-50
Abstract: 

Using fluorescence microscopy, morphological analysis of cell growth, and PCR analysis, we have shown that deletion of the Satb2 transcription factor in mouse cortical neurons results in impaired neuronal network development in vitro. It was found that primary cell cultures of the cerebral cortex obtained from Satb2-null mice are not able to form a developed network of neurites during 5 days of cultivation, while cells from control mice are characterized at this time by a fully developed network of neuronal processes. Analysis of protein kinases expression involved in the processes of neuron differentiation and neurites growth showed that deletion of Satb2 leads to suppression of the expression of genes encoding protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase B (Akt/PKB), mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (MAPK8) and Ca2+/ calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), while not affecting the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Activation of neurites outgrowth and differentiation of Satb2-null neurons was achieved by the application of exogenous activators of Akt/PKB, CaMKII and PI3K, but not PKC, the expression and activity of which is probably completely suppressed by the deletion of Satb2.