Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol, 2012 · DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2011.09.011 · Published: February 1, 2012
The RAS superfamily of GTP binding proteins has six subfamilies, one of which is the RGK (REM, RAD and GEM/KIR) subfamily. In mammals, REM2 was the first of the RGK family to be found at high expression levels in neural tissue and plays a role in various functions including modulation of Ca2+ currents, synapse development, stem cell survival and regulation of dendrite morphology. Unlike mammals, adult teleost fish have an enormous capacity for neurogenesis and brain repair. In both mammals and fish, REM2 has been shown to influence the central nervous system (CNS) regarding neural tissue development, synapse formation, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and stem cell survival. This study characterized Rem2 and examined its gene expression in the rainbow trout to begin understanding the role that Rem2 could have in adult teleost neurogenesis and brain regenerative capabilities.
The isolation and characterization of rainbow trout rem2 will allow further investigation into understanding the role of this GTP-binding protein in CNS pathways relevant not only to neural development, but likely to adult vertebrate neurogenesis and brain repair as well.
Teleost fish, such as the rainbow trout, are recognized as unique models of adult neurogenesis and, as tetraploid organisms, they provide the opportunity to examine gene evolution, particularly if functional distinctions exist.
Further comparative studies, particularly involving additional species of amphibians, non-avian reptiles, and birds would offer even greater perspective into putative functional domains within these extensions.