Integrin-mediated dendrite branch maintenance requires Abelson (Abl) family kinases

Eva Marie Yang Moresco, Stephanie Donaldson, Anne Williamson, Anthony J. Koleske

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

123 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dendrite arbor structure is a critical determinant of nervous system function that must be actively maintained throughout life, but the signaling pathways that regulate dendrite maintenance are essentially unknown. We report that the Abelson (Abl) and Abl-related gene (Arg) nonreceptor tyrosine kinases are required for maintenance of cortical dendrites in the mouse brain. arg -/- cortical dendrites initially develop normally and are indistinguishable from wild-type dendrites at postnatal day 21. Dendrite branches are not efficiently maintained in arg-/- neurons, leading to a reduction in dendrite arbor size by early adulthood. More severe dendrite loss is observed in abl-/- arg-/- neurons. Elevation of Arg kinase activity in primary cortical neurons promotes axon and dendrite branching. Activation of integrin receptors by adhesion to laminin-1 or Semaphorin 7A also promotes neurite branching in cortical neurons, but this response is absent in arg-/- neurons because of the reduced dynamic behavior of mutant neurite branches. These data suggest that integrin signaling through Abl and Arg support cortical dendrite branch maintenance by promoting dendrite branch dynamics in response to adhesive cues.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6105-6118
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume25
Issue number26
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 29 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Abl
  • Arg
  • Cortex
  • Dendrite maintenance
  • Integrin
  • Semaphorin 7A

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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