scholarly journals Ral GTPases regulate neurite branching through GAP-43 and the exocyst complex

2005 ◽  
Vol 171 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Lalli ◽  
Alan Hall
Keyword(s):  
Phospholipase D ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Sympathetic Neurons ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Neuronal Morphology ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Exocyst Complex ◽  
Ral Gtpases ◽  
Neuronal Connections

Neurite branching is essential for the establishment of appropriate neuronal connections during development and regeneration. We identify the small GTPase Ral as a mediator of neurite branching. Active Ral promotes neurite branching in cortical and sympathetic neurons, whereas Ral inhibition decreases laminin-induced branching. In addition, depletion of endogenous Ral by RNA interference decreases branching in cortical neurons. The two Ral isoforms, RalA and -B, promote branching through distinct pathways, involving the exocyst complex and phospholipase D, respectively. Finally, Ral-dependent branching is mediated by protein kinase C–dependent phosphorylation of 43-kD growth-associated protein, a crucial molecule involved in pathfinding, plasticity, and regeneration. These findings highlight an important role for Ral in the regulation of neuronal morphology.

scholarly journals Serotonin Transporter Defect Disturbs Structure and Function of the Auditory Cortex in Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenlu Pan ◽  
Jing Pan ◽  
Yan Zhao ◽  
Hongzheng Zhang ◽  
Jie Tang
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Cortex ◽  
Serotonin Transporter ◽  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Frequency Tuning ◽  
Primary Auditory Cortex ◽  
Neuronal Morphology ◽  
Neuronal Connections ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
And Function

Serotonin transporter (SERT) modulates the level of 5-HT and significantly affects the activity of serotonergic neurons in the central nervous system. The manipulation of SERT has lasting neurobiological and behavioral consequences, including developmental dysfunction, depression, and anxiety. Auditory disorders have been widely reported as the adverse events of these mental diseases. It is unclear how SERT impacts neuronal connections/interactions and what mechanism(s) may elicit the disruption of normal neural network functions in auditory cortex. In the present study, we report on the neuronal morphology and function of auditory cortex in SERT knockout (KO) mice. We show that the dendritic length of the fourth layer (L-IV) pyramidal neurons and the second-to-third layer (L-II/III) interneurons were reduced in the auditory cortex of the SERT KO mice. The number and density of dendritic spines of these neurons were significantly less than those of wild-type neurons. Also, the frequency-tonotopic organization of primary auditory cortex was disrupted in SERT KO mice. The auditory neurons of SERT KO mice exhibited border frequency tuning with high-intensity thresholds. These findings indicate that SERT plays a key role in development and functional maintenance of auditory cortical neurons. Auditory function should be examined when SERT is selected as a target in the treatment for psychiatric disorders.

scholarly journals The scaffold protein JIP3 functions as a downstream effector of the small GTPase ARF6 to regulate neurite morphogenesis of cortical neurons

FEBS Letters ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 584 (13) ◽  
pp. 2801-2806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Suzuki ◽  
Chihiro Arikawa ◽  
Yuji Kuwahara ◽  
Kouichi Itoh ◽  
Masatomo Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Scaffold Protein ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Downstream Effector
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