Rescuing qkV dysmyelination by a single isoform of the selective RNA-binding protein QKI

J Neurosci. 2006 Nov 1;26(44):11278-86. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2677-06.2006.

Abstract

Alternative splicing of the qkI transcript generates multiple isoforms of the selective RNA-binding protein QKI, which play key roles in controlling the homeostasis of their mRNA targets. QKI deficiency in oligodendrocytes of homozygous quakingviable (qkV/qkV) mutant mice results in severe hypomyelination, indicating the essential function of QKI in myelinogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms by which QKI controls myelination remain elusive. We report here that QKI-6 is the most abundant isoform in brain and is preferentially reduced in the qkV/qkV mutant during normal myelinogenesis. To test whether QKI-6 is the predominant isoform responsible for advancing CNS myelination, we developed transgenic mice that express Flag-QKI-6 specifically in the oligodendroglia lineage, driven by the proteolipid protein (PLP) promoter. When introduced into the qkV/qkV mutant, the QKI-6 transgene rescues the severe tremor and hypomyelination phenotype. Electron microscopic studies further revealed that the Flag-QKI-6 transgene is sufficient for restoring compact myelin formation with normal lamellar periodicity and thickness. Interestingly, Flag-QKI-6 preferentially associates with the mRNA encoding the myelin basic protein (MBP) and rescues MBP expression from the beginning of myelinogenesis. In contrast, Flag-QKI-6 binds the PLP mRNA with lower efficiency and has a minimal impact on PLP expression until much later, when the expression level of QKI-6 in the transgenic animal significantly exceeds what is needed for normal myelination. Together, our results demonstrate that QKI-6 is the major isoform responsible for CNS myelination, which preferentially promotes MBP expression in oligodendrocytes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Demyelinating Diseases / genetics*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Quaking
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myelin Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Myelin Proteins / genetics
  • Myelin Sheath / genetics
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Myelin Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Qk protein, mouse
  • RNA-Binding Proteins