Activity and Function of the PRMT8 Protein Arginine Methyltransferase in Neurons

Abstract

Among the nine mammalian protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), PRMT8 is unusual because it has restricted expression in the nervous system and is the only membrane-bound PRMT. Emerging studies have demonstrated that this enzyme plays multifaceted roles in diverse processes in neurons. Here we will summarize the unique structural features of PRMT8 and describe how it participates in various neuronal functions such as dendritic growth, synapse maturation, and synaptic plasticity. Recent evidence suggesting the potential role of PRMT8 function in neurological diseases will also be discussed.

Keywords

• neuron
• synapse
• dendritic spine
• actin cytoskeleton
• GTPase
• post-translational modification