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Updated: May 28, 2026

Wholemount Immunohistochemistry for Revealing Complex Brain Topography
Published on: April 5, 2012
Eph and ephrin signaling in the formation of topographic maps
Jason W Triplett1, David A Feldheim
1Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA.
Abstract:
The axonal connections between the retina and its midbrain target, the superior colliculus (SC), is mapped topographically, such that the spatial relationships of cell bodies in the retina are maintained when terminating in the SC. Topographic map development uses a Cartesian mapping system such that each axis of the retina is mapped independently. Along the nasal-temporal mapping axis, EphAs and ephrin-As, are graded molecular cues required for topographic mapping while the dorsal-ventral axis is mapped in part via EphB and ephrin-Bs. Because both Ephs and ephrins are cell surface molecules they can signal in the forward and reverse directions. Eph/ephrin signaling leads to changes in cytoskeletal dynamics that lead to actin depolymerization and endocytosis guiding axons via attraction and repulsion.
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