NAD+ and axon degeneration revisited: Nmnat1 cannot substitute for WldS to delay Wallerian degeneration

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Abstract
The slow Wallerian degeneration protein (WldS), a fusion protein incorporating full-length nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (Nmnat1), delays axon degeneration caused by injury, toxins and genetic mutation. Nmnat1 overexpression is reported to protect axons in vitro, but its effect in vivo and its potency remain unclear. We generated Nmnat1-overexpressing transgenic mice whose Nmnat activities closely match that of WldS mice. Nmnat1 overexpression in five lines of transgenic mice failed to delay Wallerian degeneration in transected sciatic nerves in contrast to WldS mice where nearly all axons were protected. Transected neurites in Nmnat1 transgenic dorsal root ganglion explant cultures also degenerated rapidly. The delay in vincristine-induced neurite degeneration following lentiviral overexpression of Nmnat1 was significantly less potent than for WldS, and lentiviral overexpressed enzyme-dead WldS still displayed residual neurite protection. Thus, Nmnat1 is significantly weaker than WldS at protecting axons against traumatic or toxic injury in vitro, and has no detectable effect in vivo. The full protective effect of WldS requires more N-terminal sequences of the protein.