The Role of Protein Arginine Methylation as Post-Translational Modification on Actin Cytoskeletal Components in Neuronal Structure and Function

The brain consists of a highly intricate network of neurons with distinct axonal and dendritic structures that facilitate signal transmission and reception. The formation of actin filaments plays a crucial role in shaping the neuronal arbor and supporting its plasticity. This process requires precise spatial and temporal regulation, particularly at the level of actin nucleation-promoting factors, which are essential for filament assembly.

Arginine methylation, a post-translational regulatory mechanism previously linked primarily to nuclear functions, has now been identified as a significant factor in neuronal development. Studies using inhibitors and loss-of-function models for protein arginine methyltransferases have revealed that protein arginine methylation plays an important role in neuritic arbor formation, dendritic spine induction, maturation, and plasticity.

Recent findings indicate that arginine methylation affects cytoskeletal actin components not only indirectly through signaling pathways but also directly by controlling an actin nucleation-promoting factor that shapes neuronal cells. Pemrametostat This direct regulation is fundamental to the formation of neuronal networks in vertebrate brains.