Work

The Neuronal Architecture ofXenopusRetinal Ganglion Cells Is Sculpted by Rho-Family GTPasesIn Vivo

Year: 1999

Type: article

Abstract: Dendritogenesis, axonogenesis, pathfinding, and target recognition are all affected in distinct ways when Xenopus retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are transfected with constitutively active (ca), wild-type (wt), and dominant negative (dn) Rho-family GTPases in vivo. Dendritogenesis required Rac1 and Cdc42 activity. Moreover, ca-Rac1 caused dendrite hyperproliferation. Axonogenesis, in contrast, was inhibited by ca-Rac1. This phenotype was partially rescued by the coexpression of dn cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk5), a proposed effector of Rac1, suggesting that Rac1 activity must be regulated tightly for normal axonogenesis. Growth cone morphology was particularly sensitive to dn-RhoA and wt-Cdc42 constructs. These also caused targeting errors, such as tectal bypass, suggesting that cytoskeletal rearrangements are involved in target recognition and are transduced by these pathways.

Source: Journal of Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.19-19-08454.1999

Authors: Maureen L. Ruchhoeft, Shin-ichi Ohnuma, Lisa McNeill, Christine E. Holt, William A. Harris

Institutions: University of California San Diego, University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institutes of Health, Medical Research Council