Analysis of molecular mechanisms that regulate neocortical layer structure formation

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26430075
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurochemistry/Neuropharmacology
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: Kubo Ken-ichiro 慶應義塾大学, 医学部(信濃町), 講師 (20348791)
• Research Collaborator: MATSUNAGA Yuki ; INOUE Seika ; SHIN Minkyung
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: リーリン / N-カドヘリン / 接着 / 大脳皮質 / 発生 / 層構造

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Reelin is an essential glycoprotein for the establishment of the highly organized six-layered structure of neurons of the mammalian neocortex. Although the role of Reelin in the control of neuronal migration has been extensively studied at the molecular level, the mechanisms underlying Reelin-dependent neuronal layer organization are not yet fully understood. In this research, we directly showed that Reelin promotes adhesion among dissociated neocortical neurons in culture. The Reelin-mediated neuronal aggregation occurs in an N-cadherin-dependent manner, both in vivo and in vitro. We directly measured the adhesive force between neurons and N-cadherin by atomic force microscopy, and found that Reelin indeed enhanced the adhesiveness of neurons to N-cadherin; this enhanced adhesiveness began to be observed at 30 min after Reelin stimulation, but declined by 3 h. These results suggest that Reelin transiently (and not persistently) promotes N-cadherin-mediated neuronal aggregation.

Free Research Field

神経発生