Work

Leading-process actomyosin coordinates organelle positioning and adhesion receptor dynamics in radially migrating cerebellar granule neurons

Year: 2014

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: During brain development, neurons migrate from germinal zones to their final positions to assemble neural circuits. A unique saltatory cadence involving cyclical organelle movement (e.g., centrosome motility) and leading-process actomyosin enrichment prior to nucleokinesis organizes neuronal migration. While functional evidence suggests that leading-process actomyosin is essential for centrosome motility, the role of the actin-enriched leading process in globally organizing organelle transport or traction forces remains unexplored. RESULTS: We show that myosin ii motors and F-actin dynamics are required for Golgi apparatus positioning before nucleokinesis in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) migrating along glial fibers. Moreover, we show that primary cilia are motile organelles, localized to the leading-process F-actin-rich domain and immobilized by pharmacological inhibition of myosin ii and F-actin dynamics. Finally, leading process adhesion dynamics are dependent on myosin ii and F-actin. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that actomyosin coordinates the overall polarity of migrating CGNs by controlling asymmetric organelle positioning and cell-cell contacts as these cells move along their glial guides.

Source: Neural Development

DOI: 10.1186/1749-8104-9-26

Authors: Niraj Trivedi, Joseph S Ramahi, Mahmut Karakaya, Danielle Howell, Ryan A Kerekes, David J Solecki

Institutions: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

Subfield: Developmental Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,890

Funders: March of Dimes Foundation, American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke