Modulation of inositol polyphosphate levels regulates neuronal differentiation

The binding of neurotrophins to tropomyosin receptor kinase receptors initiates several signaling pathways, including the activation of phospholipase C-γ, which promotes the release of diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)). In addition to recycling back to inositol, IP(3) serves as a precursor for the synthesis of higher phosphorylated inositols, such as inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate (IP(5)) and inositol hexakisphosphate (IP(6)). Previous studies on the effect of neurotrophins on inositol signaling were limited to the analysis of IP(3) and its dephosphorylation products. Here we demonstrate that nerve growth factor (NGF) regulates the levels of IP(5) and IP(6) during PC12 differentiation. Furthermore, both NGF and brain-derived neurotrophic factor alter IP(5) and IP(6) intracellular ratio in differentiated PC12 cells and primary neurons. Neurotrophins specifically regulate the expression of IP(5)-2 kinase (IP(5)-2K), which phosphorylates IP(5) into IP(6). IP(5)-2K is rapidly induced after NGF treatment, but its transcriptional levels sharply decrease in fully differentiated PC12 cells. Reduction of IP(5)-2K protein levels by small interfering RNA has an effect on the early stages of PC12 cell differentiation, whereas fully differentiated cells are not affected. Conversely, perturbation of IP(5)-2K levels by overexpression suggests that both differentiated PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons require low levels of the enzyme for survival. Therefore maintaining appropriate intracellular levels of inositol polyphosphates is necessary for neuronal survival and differentiation.