Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat and immunoglobin-domain containing (LRRIG) proteins that are commonly involved in protein-protein interactions play important roles in nervous system development and maintenance. LINGO-1, one of this family members, is characterized as a negative regulator of neuronal survival, axonal regeneration, and oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation into mature myelinating oligodendrocytes. Three LINGO-1 homologs named LINGO-2, LINGO-3, and LINGO-4 have been described. However, their relative expression and functions remain unexplored. Here, we show by in situ hybridization and quantitative polymerase chain reaction that the transcripts of LINGO homologs are differentially expressed in the central nervous system. The immunostaining of brain slices confirmed this observation and showed the co-expression of LINGO-1 with its homologs. Using BRET (bioluminescence resonance energy transfer) analysis, we demonstrate that LINGO proteins can physically interact with each of the other ones with comparable affinities and thus form the oligomeric states. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that LINGO proteins form heterocomplexes in both heterologous systems and cortical neurons. Since LINGO-1 is a promising target for the treatment of demyelinating diseases, its ability to form heteromeric complexes reveals a new level of complexity in its functioning and opens the way for new strategies to achieve diverse and nuanced LINGO-1 regulation.