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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
12:23
Dissection and Culture of Commissural Neurons from Embryonic Spinal Cord
Published on: May 25, 2010
Nectin-like molecules/SynCAMs are required for post-crossing commissural axon guidance
Vera Niederkofler1, Thomas Baeriswyl, Regula Ott
1Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|January 9, 2010
Summary
Necl/SynCAM molecules are essential for early neural circuit formation, specifically guiding commissural axons in the spinal cord. Necl3/SynCAM2 mediates this guidance through cell-cell interactions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Adhesion
Background:
- Immunoglobulin superfamily cell adhesion molecules (Necl/SynCAMs) are known to be involved in late-stage neural circuit formation, including synaptogenesis and myelination.
- Their role in early neural development and axon guidance has not been fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Necl/SynCAMs in early stages of neural circuit formation.
- To determine the function of Necl3/SynCAM2 in the developing spinal cord.
Main Methods:
- In vivo studies of the developing spinal cord.
- Analysis of commissural axon guidance.
- Investigation of Necl3/SynCAM2 expression and function.
Main Results:
- Necl/SynCAMs are required for early neural circuit formation.
- Necl/SynCAMs play a crucial role in post-crossing commissural axon guidance in the developing spinal cord.
- Necl3/SynCAM2 is essential for this guidance, mediating a turning response via interactions with commissural axons.
Conclusions:
- Necl/SynCAMs are involved in both early and late stages of neural circuit formation.
- Necl3/SynCAM2 is a key mediator of commissural axon guidance in the developing spinal cord.
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