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Published on: December 14, 2015
Plexin-B2 controls the development of cerebellar granule cells
Roland H Friedel1, Géraldine Kerjan, Helen Rayburn
1Department of Biological Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
Summary
Plexin-B2 is crucial for cerebellar development. This study reveals Plexin-B2 controls the balance between proliferation and differentiation in cerebellar granule cells, preventing developmental defects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cerebellar granule cells proliferate postnatally and migrate to form the cerebellar structure.
- The molecular mechanisms regulating the transition from proliferation to differentiation in these cells are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the transmembrane receptor Plexin-B2 in cerebellar granule cell development.
- To understand how Plexin-B2 influences the balance between proliferation and differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Generation of a targeted mutation in the mouse Plexin-B2 gene.
- Analysis of cerebellar cytoarchitecture and cellular behavior in Plexin-B2 deficient mice.
Main Results:
- Plexin-B2 mutant mice exhibit neural tube closure defects and perinatal lethality.
- Surviving mutants display profoundly altered cerebellar cytoarchitecture.
- A disorganization in the timing of granule cell proliferation and differentiation was observed, with differentiated cells continuing to proliferate.
Conclusions:
- Plexin-B2 is essential for normal cerebellar development.
- Plexin-B2 plays a critical role in regulating the switch between proliferation and differentiation in cerebellar granule cells.
