DUSP6: Potential interactions with FXR1P in the nervous system

Abstract

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a leading genetic cause of autism intellectual disorder and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with either limited treatment options or incurable. Fragile X-related gene 1 (FXR1) is a homolog of the Fragile X mental retardation gene 1 (FMR1), the causative gene of FXS, and both are highly homologous and functionally identical. In FXS, both PI3K (AKT/mTOR signaling pathway) and ERK1/2 (MAPK signaling pathway) expression levels were abnormal. Dual specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6) is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that participates in the crosstalk between the two signaling systems of MEK/ERK and mTOR. By interacting with multiple nodes of MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways (including the mTOR complex), DUSP6 regulates cellular growth, proliferation, metabolism and participates in pathological processes of cancer and cognitive impairment. However, whether there is an interaction between FXR1P and DUSP6 and the effects of DUSP6 on the growth of SK-N-SH cells remains elusive. As demonstrated by our results, FXR1P was identified in the cytoplasm and nucleus of SK-N-SH cells co-localized with DUSP6, which might have regulated ERK1/2 signaling pathways in SK-N-SH cells. To a certain extent, FXR1P may reverse the negative regulation of ERK1/2 by DUSP6. Moreover, we discovered that not only does DUSP6 inhibit proliferation, but it also promotes the apoptosis of SK-N-SH cells.