Regulatory expression of Neurensin-1 in the spinal motor neurons after mouse sciatic nerve injury

Axonal regeneration after crush injury of the sciatic nerve has been intensely studied for the elucidation of molecular and cellular mechanisms. Neurite extension factor1 (Nrsn1) is a unique membranous protein that has a microtubule-binding domain and is specifically expressed in neurons. Our studies have shown that Nrsn1 is localized particularly in actively extending neurites, thus playing a role in membrane transport to the growing distal ends of extending neurites. To elucidate the possible role of Nrsn1 during peripheral axonal regeneration, we examined the expression of Nrsn1 mRNA by in situ hybridization and Nrsn1 localization by immunocytochemistry, using a mouse model. The results revealed that during the early phase of axonal regeneration of motor nerves, Nrsn1 mRNA is upregulated in the injured motor neuron. Nrsn1 is localized in the cell bodies of motor neurons and at the growing distal ends of regenerating axons. These results indicate that Nrsn1 plays an active role in axonal regeneration as well as in embryonic development.