R-esp1, a rat homologue of Drosophila Groucho, is differentially expressed after optic nerve crush and mediates NGF-induced survival of PC12 cells

The differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect alterations in gene expression in the superior colliculus after optic nerve crush in adult rats, One of the most prominent changes observed was the selective induction of R-esp1, a homologue of the Drosaphila enhancer of split locus (Groucho), Therefore, eve studied the influence of R-esp1 on nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced cell survival of PC12 cells, Overexpression of R-esp1 promotes cell survival even in the absence of NGF and, conversely, it is reduced by antisense-mediated inhibition of R-esp1 expression, In conclusion, wet propose a novel model in which R-esp1 protein mediates the NGF-signaling pathway. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.