The dynein light chain Tctex-1 has a dynein-independent role in actin remodeling during neurite outgrowth. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Coordinated microtubule and microfilament changes are essential for the morphological development of neurons; however, little is know about the underlying molecular machinery linking these two cytoskeletal systems. Similarly, the indispensable role of RhoGTPase family proteins has been demonstrated, but it is unknown how their activities are specifically regulated in different neurites. In this paper, we show that the cytoplasmic dynein light chain Tctex-1 plays a key role in multiple steps of hippocampal neuron development, including initial neurite sprouting, axon specification, and later dendritic elaboration. The neuritogenic effects elicited by Tctex-1 are independent from its cargo adaptor role for dynein motor transport. Finally, our data suggest that the selective high level of Tctex-1 at the growth cone of growing axons drives fast neurite extension by modulating actin dynamics and also Rac1 activity.

publication date

  • July 1, 2005

Research

keywords

  • Actins
  • Axons
  • Dyneins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC3857739

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 21344471112

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.devcel.2005.04.003

PubMed ID

  • 15992542

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 9

issue

  • 1