Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are essential players in important neuronal signaling pathways including neuronal development, plasticity, survival, learning, and memory. The inactivation of MAPKs is tightly controlled by MAPK phosphatases (MKPs), which also are important regulators of these neuronal processes. Considering that MAPKs and MKPs are major players in neuronal signaling, it follows that their misregulation is pivotal in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's, Parkinson's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In contrast, the actions of their noncatalytic homologs, or pseudoenzymes, have received minimal attention as important regulators in neuronal signaling pathways and relevant diseases. There is compelling evidence, however, that pseudophosphatases, such as STYX (phospho-serine–threonine/tyrosine-binding protein) and MAPK-STYX (MK-STYX), are integral signaling molecules in regulating pathways involved in neuronal developmental processes such as neurite outgrowth. Here, we discuss how the dynamics of MK-STYX in the stress response pathway imply that this unique member of the MKP subfamily has the potential to have a major role in neuronal signaling. We further compare the actions of STYX in preventing neurite-like outgrowths and MK-STYX in inducing neurite outgrowths. The roles of these pseudophosphatases in neurite outgrowth highlight their emergence as important candidates to investigate in neurodegenerative disorders and diseases.
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April 2017
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This artistic rendition shows an Atomic Force Microscopy tip probing the mechanics of an individual virus particle. The colour scale of the particle indicates the deformation and stress of the viral shell obtained with Finite Element Analysis. The applied force is monitored by focusing a laser beam at the end of the microcantilever. For more information please see study by Moreno-Madrid et al. in this issue, pages 499–511. Image provided by Pedro De Pablo.
Review Article|
April 13 2017
Antagonistic roles for STYX pseudophosphatases in neurite outgrowth
Arya Dahal;
Arya Dahal
1Department of Biology, Integrated Science Center, College of William and Mary, 540 Landrum Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185, U.S.A.
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Shantá D. Hinton
1Department of Biology, Integrated Science Center, College of William and Mary, 540 Landrum Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23185, U.S.A.
Correspondence: Shantá D. Hinton (sdhinton@wm.edu)
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
November 30 2016
Revision Received:
January 17 2017
Accepted:
January 20 2017
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2017 The Author(s); published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2017
Biochem Soc Trans (2017) 45 (2): 381–387.
Article history
Received:
November 30 2016
Revision Received:
January 17 2017
Accepted:
January 20 2017
Citation
Arya Dahal, Shantá D. Hinton; Antagonistic roles for STYX pseudophosphatases in neurite outgrowth. Biochem Soc Trans 15 April 2017; 45 (2): 381–387. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20160273
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