MSAP is a novel MIR-interacting protein that enhances neurite outgrowth and increases myosin regulatory light chain

Dynamic interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and specific proteins are crucial for changes in cell shape and motility. Here we describe a novel protein MSAP (MIR-interacting saposin-like protein) that is a positive regulator of neurite outgrowth. MSAP is expressed in different tissues, including brain, and has an apparent molecular weight of 21 kDa. MSAP interacts with the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM)-like myosin regulatory light chain-interacting protein (MIR), and the two proteins are co-localized in cell lines and in primary neurons. Overexpression of MSAP enhances neurite outgrowth in neuroblastoma and PC12 cells, whereas downregulation of MSAP using RNA silencing led to inhibition of neurite formation. The stimulation of neurite outgrowth by MSAP was abrogated by the overexpression of MIR, which induced a decrease in the levels of myosin regulatory light chain (MRLC). This reduction in MRLC by MIR was inhibited by blocking the activity of proteasome and by overexpression of MSAP, suggesting an effect on protein stability. Evidence was obtained that MIR decreases MRLC by inducing its ubiquitination. The results show that the levels of MRLC are controlled by MIR via ubiquitination and that the effect of MIR on MRLC is counteracted in the presence of MSAP. MSAP can stabilize MRLC and thus bring about an increase in neurite outgrowth.