Role of leucine zipper bearing kinase LZK in mammalian axon regeneration

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The limited ability of axons in the adult mammalian central nervous system, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, to regenerate is a major obstacle to functional recovery from spinal cord injuries for which there is currently no effective treatment. Understanding the molecular components regulating neuron-intrinsic capacity to regenerate axons will facilitate the identification of potential therapeutic targets for axon repai. Leucine zipper-bearing kinase LZK/MAP3K13 is an appealing candidate regulator of mammalian axon regeneration because it is one of two mammalian homologues of the invertebrate dual leucine zipper-bearing kinase DLK-1/Wallenda required for the regenerative response in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. The proposed project tests the hypothesis that LZK is a neuron- intrinsic positive regulator of mammalian axon regeneration. In the first aim, the effect of overexpressing or depleting LZK on neurite extension and regeneration will be established in vitro using various neuronal cell lines and primary neurons. In the second aim, axotomy- dependent regulation of LZK will be examined in vitro and in vivo by biochemical and immunohistochemical approaches, followed by identification of the downstream signaling effectors mediating the effect of LZK on axon regeneration. In the third aim, the requirement for LZK in axon regeneration will be examined in tamoxifen-inducible and sensory neuron-specific LZK null mice. The ability of LZK overexpression to promote axon regeneration will also be investigated in wildtype mice. Establishment of LZK as a regulator of axon regeneration in adult mammals and elucidation of its signaling components will provide the molecular basis for potential development of therapeutic interventions for spinal cord injuries and certain neurodegenerative diseases involving axonal damage.