The proteins secreted in brain

There are 76 proteins that are predicted to be locally secreted in brain based on manual literature analysis and data analysis. A majority of the proteins identified are brain extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and signaling/neuropeptide molecules.

The brain ECM is composed of hyaluronic acids, glycoproteins and proteoglycans. The ECM serves as a scaffold for the construction of the tissue, and is important for cell growth regulation, differentiation, migration, adhesion and tissue morphogenesis. The brain ECM also works as a substrate for cells in regulating their motility and shape. The proteoglycans, especially the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and heparan sulfate proteoglycans, are the main component of the brain ECM. These large proteins have the ability to bind many other proteins including chemokines, growth factors, axon guidance molecules and cell adhesion molecules. The brain proteoglycans are abundant both in the developing and adult brain.

Neuropeptides, peptide hormones and other signaling proteins enable neurons to communicate and transmit information and these molecules play a key role in modulating neuronal activity. Neuropeptide functions are crucial in order to execute the basal and advanced functions of the vertebrate central nervous system, such as perception and sensory functions. Other proteins identified as secreted in brain are for example proteins involved in synapse function, cell adhesion proteins, cytokines and developmental proteins.

Functions of proteins locally secreted in the brain

All proteins that are secreted in brain were classified according to function based on Uniprot molecular function and biological processes keywords. The annotations were prioritized in the following hierarchy: Blood coagulation, Complement pathway, Acute phase, Cytokine, Hormone, Neuropeptide, Growth factor, Receptor, Lectin, Transport, Developmental protein, Defence, Enzyme, Enzyme inhibitor, Transcription, Immunity, Cell adhesion. Each gene was assigned one function.

The results of the analysis are presented in Figure 1. The analysis shows that 34 secreted proteins in the brain lack a distinct annotated function. However, among the remaining 42 secreted proteins, we could identify several proteins involved in the development, and some proteins significant for cell adhesion, which is important for the cell-to-matrix interactions during development, axonal growth and differentiation of the brain. Many genes that give rise to precursor neurosignaling proteins were also identified, these proteins are proteolytically processed to function as biologically active neuropeptides and are vital for e.g. regulation of circadian rhythm, anorexigenic, antidiuretic, cardiovascular and sensory function.

Tissue specificity and tissue distribution classification

The genes encoding proteins locally secreted in the brain were further analyzed based on mRNA expression and categorized according to tissue specificity and tissue distribution. Almost two thirds of the genes (n=49) were classified as tissue or group enriched, i.e. having either at least four-fold higher mRNA level in one tissue or in a group of two to five tissues compared to all other tissues. A third of the genes were tissue enhanced (n=23), and only one gene was classified as not detected in any of the analyzed samples from HPA or GTEx (Figure 2). For most protein-coding genes, mRNA was detected either in a single tissue or in a few tissues (less than 30 percent of the analyzed tissues). A few genes (n=27) were detected in over 30 percent of the analyzed tissues (Figure 3).

Origin of proteins locally secreted in the brain

A classification of gene expression showed that several proteins annotated as secreted in the brain are mainly produced in the brain and show a tissue-enriched expression pattern on mRNA level (Figure 4).

Secreted brain ECM proteins and cell adhesion proteins

During brain development, high levels of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans are expressed, such as the neurocan (NCAN), versican (VCAN), and brevican proteins (BCAN), and they are also abundantly expressed in the adult brain. Both neurocan and brevican are important for neuronal cell differentiation, adhesion and neurite growth during development by binding to neural cell adhesion molecules. These proteins also stabilize the interactions between hyaluronan molecules and brain proteoglycans. Interestingly, studies have shown that brevican is highly expressed in gliomas and could promote brain tumor cell growth and motility. The HAPLN4 gene, encoding a hyaluronan and proteoglycan linker protein, is produced by neurons and binds to hyaluronic acids and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans.

BCAN
NCAN
HAPLN4

The TNR gene encodes the tenascin R protein. Tenascins are multimeric vertebrate ECM glycoproteins that bind to other ECM glycoproteins such as fibronectin, heparin, heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate proteins. The expression of tenascin R protein is restricted to the central nervous system and this particular protein promotes neurite outgrowth and neural cell adhesion. Contactin 2, encoded by the CNTN2 gene, is another cell adhesion molecule, and similarly to tenascin R and SLITRK1, contactin 2 is implicated in cell migration, and axon development and proliferation.

TNR
CNTN2

Secreted proteins in brain implicated in neuronal signaling

The protein encoded by the PDYN gene is a preproprotein that is proteolytically cleaved to generate secreted opioid peptides called leumorphin, beta-neoendorphin, dynorphin, leu-enkephalin and rimorphin. The peptide ligands bind kappa-type opioid receptor, and thus have opioid-like effects. They seem to be involved in a number of physiologic functions, including pain perception and stress response.

PDYN

Relevant links and publications

Histology dictionary - brain