Cytoplasmic TERT Associates to RNA Granules in Fully Mature Neurons: Role in the Translational Control of the Cell Cycle Inhibitor p15INK4B

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 18;8(6):e66602. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066602. Print 2013.

Abstract

The main role of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) is to protect telomere length from shortening during cell division. However, recent works have revealed the existence of a pool of TERT associated to mitochondria, where it plays a role in survival. We here show that in fully differentiated neurons the largest pool of cytoplasmic TERT associates to TIA1 positive RNA granules, where it binds the messenger RNA of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p15INK4B. Upon stress, p15INK4B and TERT dissociate and p15INK4B undergoes efficient translation, allowing its pro-survival function. These results unveil another mechanism implicated in the survival of fully differentiated neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15 / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Protein Biosynthesis / drug effects*
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Telomerase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p15
  • RNA
  • Telomerase

Grants and funding

This work was partially supported by Flanders Fund for Scientific Research (FWO G 0.666.10N), NEUROBRAINNET IAP 7/16, Flemish Government Methusalem Grant, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation Ingenio-Consolider CSD2010-00064 and SAF2010-14906. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.