CLP36 interacts with palladin in dorsal root ganglion neurons

CLP36, a member of the α-actinin-associated LIM protein (ALP)/enigma protein family, plays a role in neurite outgrowth in the peripheral nervous system. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not known. In this study, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening of an E18 mouse whole-body cDNA library with CLP36 as the bait and isolated palladin as a CLP36-binding protein. Palladin is an actin-binding protein and it was shown to have a role in the extension of cortical neurons. A coimmunoprecipitation study showed that CLP36 and palladin formed a complex in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). In addition, CLP36 and palladin were colocalized in the neurites and cell bodies of primary DRG neurons. Furthermore, sciatic nerve transection increased the expression of both CLP36 and palladin mRNAs in DRG neurons, with the increase in CLP36 mRNA being more prominent. This implies that CLP36 has a more specific role in nerve regeneration than palladin. Our results suggest that CLP36 may interact with palladin to influence neurite outgrowth during sciatic nerve regeneration.