scholarly journals A specific Ret receptor isoform is required for pioneer axon outgrowth and growth cone dynamics

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam M. Tuttle ◽  
Catherine M. Drerup ◽  
Molly H. Marra ◽  
Alex V. Nechiporuk
Keyword(s):  
Growth Cone ◽  
Axon Growth ◽  
Retrograde Transport ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Axon Outgrowth ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Anterograde Transport ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Pioneer Neurons

AbstractIn many cases, axon growth and guidance are driven by pioneer axons, the first axons to grow in a particular region. Despite their dynamic pathfinding capabilities and developmental importance, there are very few pioneer neuron specific markers and thus their in vivo identification and functional interrogation have been difficult. We found that a Ret receptor isoform, Ret51, is highly enriched in peripheral sensory pioneer neurons and is required for pioneer axon outgrowth. Ret null mutant pioneer neurons differentiate normally; however, they displayed defects in growth cone morphology and formation of filopodia before pioneer axon extension prematurely halts. We also demonstrate loss-of-function of a retrograde cargo adaptor, JNK-interacting protein 3 (Jip3), phenocopied many of these axonal defects. We further found that loss of Jip3 led to accumulation of activated Ret receptor in pioneer growth cones, indicating a failure in the clearance of activated Ret from growth cones. Using an axon sever approach as well as in vivo analysis of axonal transport, we showed Jip3 specifically mediates retrograde, but not anterograde, transport of activated Ret51. Finally, live imaging revealed that Jip3 and Ret51 were retrogradely co-transported in pioneer axons, suggesting Jip3 functions as an adapter for retrograde transport of Ret51. Taken together, these results identify Ret51 as a molecular marker of pioneer neurons and elucidate an important isoform-specific role for Ret51 in axon growth and growth cone dynamics during development.

scholarly journals Retrograde Ret signaling controls sensory pioneer axon outgrowth

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Tuttle ◽  
Catherine M Drerup ◽  
Molly Marra ◽  
Hillary McGraw ◽  
Alex V Nechiporuk
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Growth Cone ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Axon Growth ◽  
Axon Outgrowth ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Pioneer Neurons ◽  
Axonal Defects ◽  
Myosin X

The trafficking mechanisms and transcriptional targets downstream of long-range neurotrophic factor ligand/receptor signaling that promote axon growth are incompletely understood. Zebrafish carrying a null mutation in a neurotrophic factor receptor, Ret, displayed defects in peripheral sensory axon growth cone morphology and dynamics. Ret receptor was highly enriched in sensory pioneer neurons and Ret51 isoform was required for pioneer axon outgrowth. Loss-of-function of a cargo adaptor, Jip3, partially phenocopied Ret axonal defects, led to accumulation of activated Ret in pioneer growth cones, and reduced retrograde Ret51 transport. Jip3 and Ret51 were also retrogradely co-transported, ultimately suggesting Jip3 is a retrograde adapter of active Ret51. Finally, loss of Ret reduced transcription and growth cone localization of Myosin-X, an initiator of filopodial formation. These results show a specific role for Ret51 in pioneer axon growth, and suggest a critical role for long-range retrograde Ret signaling in regulating growth cone dynamics through downstream transcriptional changes.

Growth cones stall and collapse during axon outgrowth in Caenorhabditis elegans

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (20) ◽  
pp. 4489-4498 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.M. Knobel ◽  
E.M. Jorgensen ◽  
M.J. Bastiani
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Growth Cone ◽  
Nerve Cord ◽  
Body Wall ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
The Body ◽  
Axon Outgrowth ◽  
Attachment Structures ◽  
Dorsal Nerve

During nervous system development, neurons form synaptic contacts with distant target cells. These connections are formed by the extension of axonal processes along predetermined pathways. Axon outgrowth is directed by growth cones located at the tips of these neuronal processes. Although the behavior of growth cones has been well-characterized in vitro, it is difficult to observe growth cones in vivo. We have observed motor neuron growth cones migrating in living Caenorhabditis elegans larvae using time-lapse confocal microscopy. Specifically, we observed the VD motor neurons extend axons from the ventral to dorsal nerve cord during the L2 stage. The growth cones of these neurons are round and migrate rapidly across the epidermis if they are unobstructed. When they contact axons of the lateral nerve fascicles, growth cones stall and spread out along the fascicle to form anvil-shaped structures. After pausing for a few minutes, they extend lamellipodia beyond the fascicle and resume migration toward the dorsal nerve cord. Growth cones stall again when they contact the body wall muscles. These muscles are tightly attached to the epidermis by narrowly spaced circumferential attachment structures. Stalled growth cones extend fingers dorsally between these hypodermal attachment structures. When a single finger has projected through the body wall muscle quadrant, the growth cone located on the ventral side of the muscle collapses and a new growth cone forms at the dorsal tip of the predominating finger. Thus, we observe that complete growth cone collapse occurs in vivo and not just in culture assays. In contrast to studies indicating that collapse occurs upon contact with repulsive substrata, collapse of the VD growth cones may result from an intrinsic signal that serves to maintain growth cone primacy and conserve cellular material.

scholarly journals c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase (JNK)-interacting Protein-3 (JIP3) Regulates Neuronal Axon Elongation in a Kinesin- and JNK-dependent Manner

2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (20) ◽  
pp. 14531-14543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Sun ◽  
Nuo Yu ◽  
Lu-Kai Zhai ◽  
Na Li ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Anterograde Transport ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Axon Elongation

The development of neuronal polarity is essential for the establishment of the accurate patterning of neuronal circuits in the brain. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms that control rapid axon elongation during neuronal development. Here, we report that c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)-interacting protein-3 (JIP3) is highly expressed at axon tips during the critical period for axon development. Using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, immunofluorescence analysis, and in utero electroporation, we find that JIP3 can enhance axon elongation in primary hippocampal neurons and cortical neurons in vivo. We further demonstrate that JIP3 promotes axon elongation in a kinesin- and JNK-dependent manner using several deletion mutants of JIP3. Next, we demonstrate that the successful transportation of JIP3 to axon tips by kinesin is a prerequisite for enhancing JNK phosphorylation in this area and therefore promotes axon elongation, constituting a novel mechanism for coupling JIP3 anterograde transport with JNK signaling at the distal axons and axon elongation. Finally, our immunofluorescence data suggest that the activation of JNK at axon tips facilitates axon elongation by modulating cofilin activity and actin filament dynamics. These findings may have important implications for our understanding of neuronal axon elongation during development.

The metalloproteinase ADAM10 is required for retinal ganglion cell axon guidance in the developing visual systems

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Y. Y. Chen ◽  
C. L. Hehr ◽  
K. Atkinson-Leadbeater ◽  
J. C. Hocking ◽  
S. McFarlane
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cell ◽  
Axon Guidance ◽  
Retinal Ganglion Cell ◽  
Growth Cone ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Optic Tract ◽  
Axon Growth ◽  
Proteolytic Processing ◽  
Retinal Ganglion

Background: The growth cone interprets cues in its environment in order to reach its target. We want to identify molecules that regulate growth cone behaviour in the developing embryo. We investigated the role of A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) in axon guidance in the developing visual system of African frog, Xenopus laevis. Methods: We first examined the expression patterns of adam10 mRNA by in situ hybridization. We then exposed the developing optic tract to an ADAM10 inhibitor, GI254023X, in vivo. Lastly, we inhibited ADAM10 function in diencephalic neuroepithelial cells (through which retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons extend) or RGCs by electroporating or transfecting an ADAM10 dominant negative (dn-adam10). Results: We show that adam10 mRNA is expressed in the dorsal neuroepithelium over the time RGC axons extend towards their target, the optic tectum. Second, pharmacological inhibition of ADAM10 in an in vivo exposed brain preparation causes the failure of RGC axons to recognize their target at low concentrations (0.5, 1 μM), and the failure of the axons to make a caudal turn in the mid-diencephalon at higher concentration (5 μM). Thus, ADAM10 function is required for RGC axon guidance at two key guidance decisions. Finally, molecular inhibition of ADAM10 function by electroporating dn-adam10 in the brain neuroepithelium causes defects in RGC axon target recognition (57%) and/or defects in caudal turn (12%), as seen with the pharmacological inhibitor. In contrast, molecular inhibition of ADAM10 within the RGC axons has no effect. Conclusions: These data argue strongly that ADAM10 acts cell non-autonomously within the neuroepithelium to regulate the guidance of RGC axons. This study shows for the first time that a metalloproteinase acts in a cell non-autonomous fashion to direct vertebrate axon growth. It will provide important insights into candidate molecules that could be used to reform nerve connections if destroyed because of injury or disease. References Hattori M, Osterfield M, Flanagan JG. Regulated cleavage of a contact-mediated axon repellent. Science 2000; 289(5483):1360-5. Janes PW, Saha N, Barton WA, Kolev MV, Wimmer-Kleikamp SH, Nievergall E, Blobel CP, Himanen JP, Lackmann M, Nikolov DB. Adam meets Eph: an ADAM substrate recognition module acts as a molecular switch for ephrin cleavage in trans. Cell 2005; 123(2):291-304. Pan D, Rubin GM. Kuzbanian controls proteolytic processing of Notch and mediates lateral inhibition during Drosophila and vertebrate neurogenesis. Cell 1997; 90(2):271-80.

scholarly journals Rgs4 is a regulator of mTOR activity required for motoneuron axon outgrowth and neuronal development in zebrafish

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Mikdache ◽  
Marie-José Boueid ◽  
Lorijn van der Spek ◽  
Emilie Lesport ◽  
Brigitte Delespierre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Neural Development ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Axon Outgrowth ◽  
Rgs Proteins ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
G Protein Coupled

AbstractThe Regulator of G protein signaling 4 (Rgs4) is a member of the RGS proteins superfamily that modulates the activity of G-protein coupled receptors. It is mainly expressed in the nervous system and is linked to several neuronal signaling pathways; however, its role in neural development in vivo remains inconclusive. Here, we generated and characterized a rgs4 loss of function model (MZrgs4) in zebrafish. MZrgs4 embryos showed motility defects and presented reduced head and eye sizes, reflecting defective motoneurons axon outgrowth and a significant decrease in the number of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system. Forcing the expression of Rgs4 specifically within motoneurons rescued their early defective outgrowth in MZrgs4 embryos, indicating an autonomous role for Rgs4 in motoneurons. We also analyzed the role of Akt, Erk and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling cascades and showed a requirement for these pathways in motoneurons axon outgrowth and neuronal development. Drawing on pharmacological and rescue experiments in MZrgs4, we provide evidence that Rgs4 facilitates signaling mediated by Akt, Erk and mTOR in order to drive axon outgrowth in motoneurons and regulate neuronal numbers.

Pioneer neurones use basal lamina as a substratum for outgrowth in the embryonic grasshopper limb

Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 601-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Anderson ◽  
R.P. Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Horseradish Peroxidase ◽  
Basal Lamina ◽  
Growth Cone ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Axon Outgrowth ◽  
Stages Of Development

During axonogenesis, contacts made by the growth cone with its substratum are important in guiding the direction of neurone outgrowth. This study examines the contacts made by the growth cones of pioneer neurones in the embryonic grasshopper limb. Individual pioneer neurones at different stages of development were injected with horseradish peroxidase and the contacts made by the filopodia at the tip of their growth cones were examined by electron microscopy. Filopodia made few contacts with mesodermal cells, some contacts with ectodermal cells and very frequent contacts with basal lamina underlying the ectoderm. Components of the basal lamina may therefore play a role in guiding pioneer axon outgrowth.

scholarly journals B-RAF kinase drives developmental axon growth and promotes axon regeneration in the injured mature CNS

2014 ◽  
Vol 211 (5) ◽  
pp. 801-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. O’Donovan ◽  
Kaijie Ma ◽  
Hengchang Guo ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
Fang Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Axon Regeneration ◽  
Axon Growth ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Pten Loss ◽  
Raf Kinase ◽  
Central Nervous Systems ◽  
Neurotrophin Signaling ◽  
Peripheral Sensory

Activation of intrinsic growth programs that promote developmental axon growth may also facilitate axon regeneration in injured adult neurons. Here, we demonstrate that conditional activation of B-RAF kinase alone in mouse embryonic neurons is sufficient to drive the growth of long-range peripheral sensory axon projections in vivo in the absence of upstream neurotrophin signaling. We further show that activated B-RAF signaling enables robust regenerative growth of sensory axons into the spinal cord after a dorsal root crush as well as substantial axon regrowth in the crush-lesioned optic nerve. Finally, the combination of B-RAF gain-of-function and PTEN loss-of-function promotes optic nerve axon extension beyond what would be predicted for a simple additive effect. We conclude that cell-intrinsic RAF signaling is a crucial pathway promoting developmental and regenerative axon growth in the peripheral and central nervous systems.

scholarly journals Axon growth regulation by a bistable molecular switch

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1877) ◽  
pp. 20172618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranesh Padmanabhan ◽  
Geoffrey J. Goodhill
Keyword(s):  
Growth Cone ◽  
Neural Development ◽  
Growth Regulation ◽  
Axon Growth ◽  
Interaction Network ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Environmental Signals ◽  
Switching Behaviour ◽  
The Right

For the brain to function properly, its neurons must make the right connections during neural development. A key aspect of this process is the tight regulation of axon growth as axons navigate towards their targets. Neuronal growth cones at the tips of developing axons switch between growth and paused states during axonal pathfinding, and this switching behaviour determines the heterogeneous axon growth rates observed during brain development. The mechanisms controlling this switching behaviour, however, remain largely unknown. Here, using mathematical modelling, we predict that the molecular interaction network involved in axon growth can exhibit bistability, with one state representing a fast-growing growth cone state and the other a paused growth cone state. Owing to stochastic effects, even in an unchanging environment, model growth cones reversibly switch between growth and paused states. Our model further predicts that environmental signals could regulate axon growth rate by controlling the rates of switching between the two states. Our study presents a new conceptual understanding of growth cone switching behaviour, and suggests that axon guidance may be controlled by both cell-extrinsic factors and cell-intrinsic growth regulatory mechanisms.

scholarly journals The role of microtubules in growth cone turning at substrate boundaries.

1995 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Tanaka ◽  
M W Kirschner
Keyword(s):  
Growth Cone ◽  
Collagen Type ◽  
Axon Growth ◽  
Growth Cones ◽  
Collagen Type Iv ◽  
Early Step ◽  
Growth Cone Collapse ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
And Behaviors

To understand the role of microtubules in growth cone turning, we observed fluorescently labeled microtubules in neurons as they encountered a substrate boundary. Neurons growing on a laminin-rich substrate avoided growing onto collagen type IV. Turning growth cones assumed heterogeneous morphologies and behaviors that depended primarily in their extent of adhesion to the substrate. We grouped these behaviors into three categories-sidestepping, motility, and growth-mediated reorientation. In sidestepping and motility-mediated reorientation, the growth cone and parts of the axon were not well attached to the substrate so the acquisition of an adherent lamella caused the entire growth cone to move away from the border and consequently reoriented the axon. In these cases, since the motility of the growth cone dominates its reorientation, the microtubules were passive, and reorientation occurred without significant axon growth. In growth-mediated reorientation, the growth cone and axon were attached to the substrate. In this case, microtubules reoriented within the growth cone to stabilize a lamella. Bundling of the reoriented microtubules was followed by growth cone collapse to form new axon, and further, polarized lamellipodial extension. These observations indicate that when the growth cone remains adherent to the substrate during turning, the reorientation and bundling of microtubules is an important, early step in growth cone turning.

scholarly journals Dynactin Is Required for Coordinated Bidirectional Motility, but Not for Dynein Membrane Attachment

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2081-2089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjan Haghnia ◽  
Valeria Cavalli ◽  
Sameer B. Shah ◽  
Kristina Schimmelpfeng ◽  
Richard Brusch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Motor ◽  
Retrograde Transport ◽  
Anterograde Transport ◽  
Membrane Attachment ◽  
Membrane Compartments ◽  
Human Motor ◽  
Neuronal Vesicles ◽  
Dynactin Complex ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Transport of cellular and neuronal vesicles, organelles, and other particles along microtubules requires the molecular motor protein dynein ( Mallik and Gross, 2004 ). Critical to dynein function is dynactin, a multiprotein complex commonly thought to be required for dynein attachment to membrane compartments ( Karki and Holzbaur, 1999 ). Recent work also has found that mutations in dynactin can cause the human motor neuron disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( Puls et al., 2003 ). Thus, it is essential to understand the in vivo function of dynactin. To test directly and rigorously the hypothesis that dynactin is required to attach dynein to membranes, we used both a Drosophila mutant and RNA interference to generate organisms and cells lacking the critical dynactin subunit, actin-related protein 1. Contrary to expectation, we found that apparently normal amounts of dynein associate with membrane compartments in the absence of a fully assembled dynactin complex. In addition, anterograde and retrograde organelle movement in dynactin deficient axons was completely disrupted, resulting in substantial changes in vesicle kinematic properties. Although effects on retrograde transport are predicted by the proposed function of dynactin as a regulator of dynein processivity, the additional effects we observed on anterograde transport also suggest potential roles for dynactin in mediating kinesin-driven transport and in coordinating the activity of opposing motors ( King and Schroer, 2000 ).

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