Fascin controls neuronal class-specific dendrite arbor morphology.

Development

Dendrite Differentiation Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, MPI of Neurobiology, 82152 Munich-Martinsried, Germany.

Published: August 2012

The branched morphology of dendrites represents a functional hallmark of distinct neuronal types. Nonetheless, how diverse neuronal class-specific dendrite branches are generated is not understood. We investigated specific classes of sensory neurons of Drosophila larvae to address the fundamental mechanisms underlying the formation of distinct branch types. We addressed the function of fascin, a conserved actin-bundling protein involved in filopodium formation, in class III and class IV sensory neurons. We found that the terminal branchlets of different classes of neurons have distinctive dynamics and are formed on the basis of molecularly separable mechanisms; in particular, class III neurons require fascin for terminal branching whereas class IV neurons do not. In class III neurons, fascin controls the formation and dynamics of terminal branchlets. Previous studies have shown that transcription factor combinations define dendrite patterns; we find that fascin represents a downstream component of such programs, as it is a major effector of the transcription factor Cut in defining class III-specific dendrite morphology. Furthermore, fascin defines the morphological distinction between class III and class IV neurons. In fact, loss of fascin function leads to a partial conversion of class III neurons to class IV characteristics, while the reverse effect is obtained by fascin overexpression in class IV neurons. We propose that dedicated molecular mechanisms underlie the formation and dynamics of distinct dendrite branch types to elicit the accurate establishment of neuronal circuits.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/dev.077800DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

class iii
20
iii neurons
12
class neurons
12
class
11
neurons
9
fascin
8
fascin controls
8
neuronal class-specific
8
class-specific dendrite
8
sensory neurons
8

Similar Publications

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) have high rates of substance use, which increases their risk for HIV. Digital Health Interventions (DHI) have the potential to address HIV risk overall and reduce harms in the context of substance use. However, there is limited research on how YMSM with different substance use patterns respond to HIV DHIs and how these programs impact participant outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The curious case of mitochondrial sirtuin in rewiring breast cancer metabolism: Mr Hyde or Dr Jekyll?

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis

January 2025

Department of Public Health Genomics, Centre for DNA Repair and Genome Stability (CDRGS), Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India. Electronic address:

Mammalian sirtuins are class III histone deacetylases involved in the regulation of multiple biological processes including senescence, DNA repair, apoptosis, proliferation, caloric restriction, and metabolism. Among the mammalian sirtuins, SIRT3, SIRT4, and SIRT5 are localized in the mitochondria and collectively termed the mitochondrial sirtuins. Mitochondrial sirtuins are NAD+-dependent deacetylases that play a central role in cellular metabolism and function as epigenetic regulators by performing post-translational modification of cellular proteins.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Approximately 70% of patients with heart failure (HF) also have kidney disease. Mortality is increased both by cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and by the exacerbation of other comorbidities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical performance of patients with CRS who are followed up by the Cardiorenal Unit (CRU).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, primarily due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency, leads to impaired cortisol and aldosterone production and excess adrenal androgens. Lifelong glucocorticoid therapy is required, often necessitating supraphysiological doses in youth to manage androgen excess and growth acceleration. These patients experience higher obesity rates, hypertension, and glucose metabolism issues, complicating long-term health management.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!