DOK6 Selectively Docks the Neurotrophic Signaling Transduction to Restrain Peripheral Neuropathy

The appropriate and specific response of nerve cells to various external cues is essential for the establishment and maintenance of neural circuits, and this process requires the proper recruitment of adaptor molecules to selectively activate downstream pathways. Here, we identified that DOK6 is required for the maintenance of peripheral axons, and loss of Dok6 can cause typical peripheral neuropathy symptoms in mice, manifested as impaired sensory, abnormal posture, paws deformities, blocked nerve conduction, and dysmyelination. Furthermore, genetic deletion of Dok6 in peripheral neurons led to axonal degeneration and hindered retrograde axonal transport. Specifically, DOK6 acts as an adaptor protein for selectivity-mediated neurotrophic signal transduction and retrograde transport for TrkC and Ret but not TrkA and TrkB. DOK6 interacts with certain proteins in the trafficking machinery and controls their phosphorylation, including MAP1B, Tau and Dynein for axonal transport, and specifically activates the downstream ERK1/2 kinase pathway to maintain axonal survival and homeostasis. This finding provides new clues to potential insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of hereditary peripheral neuropathies or other degenerative diseases. Look insight into if the expression of myelination-related genes is altered in Dok6 mutant sciatic nerves