Sliding of centrosome-unattached microtubules defines key features of neuronal phenotype
Abstract
Contemporary models for neuronal migration are grounded in the view that virtually all functionally relevant microtubules (MTs) in migrating neurons are attached to the centrosome, which occupies a position between the nucleus and a short leading process. It is assumed that MTs do not undergo independent movements but rather transduce forces that enable movements of the centrosome and nucleus. The present results demonstrate that although this is mostly true, a small fraction of the MTs are centrosome-unattached, and this permits limited sliding of MTs. When this sliding is pharmacologically inhibited, the leading process becomes shorter, migration of the neuron deviates from its normal path, and the MTs within the leading process become buckled. Partial depletion of ninein, a protein that attaches MTs to the centrosome, leads to greater numbers of centrosome-unattached MTs as well as greater sliding of MTs. Concomitantly, the soma becomes less mobile and the leading process acquires an elongated morphology akin to an axon.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- May 02, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1083/jcb.201506140
Entities
People
- Aditi Falnikar
- Anand N. Rao
- Andreas Hoenger
- Eileen T. O’toole
- Mary K. Morphew
- Michael W. Davidson
- Peter W Baas
- Xiaobing Yuan
Organizations
- Craig H Neilsen Foundation
- Drexel University
- Florida State University
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- National Institutes of Health
- Simons Foundation
- United States Department of Defense
- University of Colorado