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Generation of Human Neurons and Oligodendrocytes from Pluripotent Stem Cells for Modeling Neuron-Oligodendrocyte Interactions
Published on: November 9, 2020
Homer proteins control neuronal differentiation through IP(3) receptor signaling
Masahiko Tanaka1, R Scott Duncan, Nathalie McClung
1Division of Cell Biology, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan.
FEBS Letters
|October 27, 2006
Summary
Vesl-1/Homer 1 isoforms regulate neuronal development by controlling intracellular calcium signaling and dendritic morphology. Specific isoforms, like Vesl-1L/Homer 1c, are crucial for potentiating calcium activity and shaping neuron structure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Neuronal dendritic tree development is crucial for nervous system formation.
- Dendritic arborization depends on neuronal activity and intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signals.
- The role of synaptic clustering proteins in linking these processes is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Vesl-1/Homer 1 isoforms in regulating neuronal Ca2+ signaling and dendritic morphology.
- To determine how different Vesl-1/Homer 1 isoforms affect intracellular Ca2+ release and neuronal structure.
- To elucidate the impact of Vesl-1/Homer 1 expression levels on neuronal differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Studied the expression levels of Vesl-1/Homer 1 isoforms in CNS neurons.
- Assessed the impact of these isoforms on intracellular Ca2+ signaling properties.
- Analyzed the effects on dendritic morphology of central nervous system (CNS) neurons.
Main Results:
- Expression levels of Vesl-1/Homer 1 isoforms critically control Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.
- Vesl-1L/Homer 1c, an isoform with functional WH1 and coiled-coil domains, potentiated intracellular calcium signaling.
- Isoforms lacking these domains did not potentiate calcium signaling, indicating domain-specific function.
- These regulatory interactions are dependent on the expression levels of Vesl/Homer isoforms.
Conclusions:
- Vesl-1/Homer 1 isoforms play a critical role in regulating neuronal Ca2+ signaling and dendritic morphology.
- The specific isoform, Vesl-1L/Homer 1c, enhances intracellular calcium signaling, influencing neuronal structure.
- Changes in Vesl/Homer isoform expression levels represent a mechanism for regulating neuronal differentiation and development.
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