Exploring the mechanical force driving nuclear migration in developing neurons

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14317
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: KENGAKU Mineko 京都大学, 物質－細胞統合システム拠点, 教授 (10303801)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KANEKO Makoto 大阪大学, 大学院工学研究科, 教授 (70224607)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 神経科学 / 発生・分化 / 細胞・組織 / ライブイメージング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neuronal migration is a critical step for cortical formation in the mammalian brain, yet the precise mechanism of cytoskeletal force transmission is not fully understood. Using high resolution confocal imaging, we visualized dynamic deformation and rotation of the nucleus in migrating neurons. We demonstrated that microtubules dynamically bind to small points on the nuclear envelope via the plus- and minus-end oriented motors, kinesin and dynein, and induce sharpening, rotation and translocation of the nucleus via LINC complex.

Free Research Field

神経科学