RESUMEN
EPS15 and its homologous EPS15L1 are endocytic accessory proteins. Studies in mammalian cell lines suggested that EPS15 and EPS15L1 regulate endocytosis in a redundant manner. However, at the organismal level, it is not known to which extent the functions of the two proteins overlap. Here, by exploiting various constitutive and conditional null mice, we report redundant and nonredundant functions of the two proteins. EPS15L1 displays a unique nonredundant role in the nervous system, whereas both proteins are fundamental during embryo development as shown by the embryonic lethality of -Eps15/Eps15L1-double KO mice. At the cellular level, the major process redundantly regulated by EPS15 and EPS15L1 is the endocytosis of the transferrin receptor, a pathway that sustains the development of red blood cells and controls iron homeostasis. Consequently, hematopoietic-specific conditional Eps15/Eps15L1-double KO mice display traits of microcytic hypochromic anemia, due to a cell-autonomous defect in iron internalization.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/genética , Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/metabolismo , Endocitosis/fisiología , Anemia Hipocrómica/genética , Animales , Escala de Evaluación de la Conducta , Desarrollo Embrionario/fisiología , Eritrocitos/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Técnicas de Inactivación de Genes , Genes Letales/fisiología , Hipocampo/citología , Hierro/metabolismo , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Ratones Noqueados , Neuronas/metabolismo , Receptores de Transferrina/metabolismo , Homología de Secuencia de Aminoácido , Homología Estructural de Proteína , Sinapsis/metabolismoRESUMEN
Dynamic modulation of the actin cytoskeleton is critical for synaptic plasticity, abnormalities of which are thought to contribute to mental illness and addiction. Here we report that mice lacking Eps8, a regulator of actin dynamics, are resistant to some acute intoxicating effects of ethanol and show increased ethanol consumption. In the brain, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a major target of ethanol. We show that Eps8 is localized to postsynaptic structures and is part of the NMDA receptor complex. Moreover, in Eps8 null mice, NMDA receptor currents and their sensitivity to inhibition by ethanol are abnormal. In addition, Eps8 null neurons are resistant to the actin-remodeling activities of NMDA and ethanol. We propose that proper regulation of the actin cytoskeleton is a key determinant of cellular and behavioral responses to ethanol.