Mechanisms underlying axon sorting in neural layer formation

2009 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20700319
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Nerve anatomy/Neuropathology
• Research Institution: National Institute of Genetics
• Principal Investigator: KURUSU Mitsuhiko National Institute of Genetics, 構造遺伝学研究センター, 助教 (50413985)
• Project Period (FY): 2008 – 2009
• Keywords: ショウジョウバエ / 運動神経 / キノコ体 / 培養細胞 / N-cadherin / TRPA1 / シナプス

Research Abstract

Although N-cadherin has been known to exert multiple roles in neural circuit formation, it remains unclear how such functions are achieved during differentiation of a given neuronal cell. Here we demonstrate that Drosophila N-cadherin is indeed required for the different processes such as axon guidance and synaptic growth in both mushroom body and motoneurons. We also show that these functions are executed by spatiotemporal regulation of N-cad expression during neuronal differentiation. Interestingly, this change in the expression of N-cad is cell-autonomously controlled and mediated by cation influx.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Leucine-rich repeat transmembrane proteins instruct discrete dendrite targeting in an olfactory map. (2009)
  • Author(s): Hong, W., Zhu, H., Potter, C.J., Barsh, G., Kurusu, M., Zinn, K., Luo, L.
  • Journal Title: Nature Neurosci. 12(12) Pages: 1542-1550
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Brain patterning defects caused by mutations of the twin of eyeless gene in Drosophila melanogaster. (2009)
  • Author(s): Furukubo-Tokunaga, K., Adachi, Y., Kurusu, M., Walldorf, U.
  • Journal Title: Fly 3(4) Pages: 263-269
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] A conserved nuclear receptor, Tailless, is required for efficient proliferation and prolonged maintenance of mushroom body progenitors in the Drosophila brain. (2009)
  • Author(s): Kurusu, M., Maruyama, Y., Adachi, Y., Okabe, M., Suzuki, E., Furukubo-Tokunaga, K
  • Journal Title: Developmental Biology. 326(1) Pages: 224-236
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] A screen of cell-surface molecules identifies leucine-rich repeat proteins as key mediators of synaptic target selection. (2008)
  • Author(s): Kurusu, M., Cording, A., Taniguchi, M., Menon, K., Suzuki, E., Zinn, K.
  • Journal Title: Neuron. 59(6) Pages: 972-985
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] Spatiotemporal change in the expression of cell-adhesion molecule during neural differentiation is crucial for the neural circuit formation. (2009)
  • Author(s): 来栖光彦
  • Organizer: 日本分子生物学会
  • Place of Presentation: パシフィコ横浜
  • Year and Date: 2009-12-19
• [Presentation] N-Cadherin regulates birth order-dependent axonal fasciculation, axon growth, and dendritic terminal morphology during the development of Drosophila mushroom body. (2009)
  • Author(s): 来栖光彦
  • Organizer: Japan Drosophila Research Conference
  • Place of Presentation: ヤマハリゾートつま恋
  • Year and Date: 2009-07-07
• [Presentation] ショウジョウバエ神経-筋結合部位を利用した軸索の標的認識、シナプス形成を制御する細胞表面タンパク質の探索と機能解析 (2008)
  • Author(s): 来栖光彦
  • Organizer: 日本分子生物学会
  • Place of Presentation: 神戸ポートアイランド
  • Year and Date: 2008-12-10
• [Remarks]
  • URL: http://www.nig.ac.jp/hot/2009/kurusu0902-j.html
• [Remarks]
  • URL: http://www.nig.ac.jp/hot/2008/kurusu0810-j.html