Developmental switch in NF-κB signalling required for neurite growth

For a given cell type, particular extracellular signals generate characteristic patterns of activity in intracellular signalling networks that lead to distinctive cell-type specific responses. Here, we report the first known occurrence of a developmental switch in the intracellular signalling network required for an identical cellular response to the same extracellular signal in the same cell type. We show that although NF-kappa B signalling is required for BDNF-promoted neurite growth from both foetal and postnatal mouse sensory neurons, there is a developmental switch between these stages in the NF-kappa B activation mechanism and the phosphorylation status of the p65 NF-kappa B subunit required for neurite growth. Shortly before birth, BDNF activates NF-kappa B by an atypical mechanism that involves tyrosine phosphorylation of I kappa B alpha by Src family kinases, and dephosphorylates p65 at serine 536. Immediately after birth, BDNF-independent constitutive activation of NF-kappa B signalling by serine phosphorylation of I kappa B alpha and constitutive dephosphorylation of p65 at serine 536 are required for BDNF-promoted neurite growth. This abrupt developmental switch in NF-kappa B signalling in a highly differentiated cell type illustrates an unsuspected plasticity in signalling networks in the generation of identical cellular responses to the same extracellular signal.