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Utilizing Combined Methodologies to Define the Role of Plasma Membrane Delivery During Axon Branching and Neuronal Morphogenesis
Published on: March 16, 2016
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RAB-10-Dependent Membrane Transport Is Required for Dendrite Arborization.
Wei Zou1, Smita Yadav2, Laura DeVault2
1Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Plos Genetics
|September 23, 2015
Summary
The small GTPase RAB-10 and exocyst complex are crucial for delivering membrane components to growing neuronal dendrites. This study reveals their role in regulating dendritic arborization and neuron connectivity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Elaborately branched dendrites are essential for sensory neuron function.
- Dendritic growth depends on ER-to-Golgi transport, Golgi outposts, and endocytic recycling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key regulators of membrane delivery to sites of active dendritic growth.
- To investigate the role of RAB-10 in dendrite morphogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Candidate-based genetic screen in C. elegans.
- Analysis of PVD neuron morphology in rab-10 and exocyst complex mutants.
- Localization studies of RAB-10, DMA-1, and HPO-30.
Main Results:
- Loss of rab-10 severely impaired proximal dendritic arborization in PVD neurons.
- RAB-10 localizes to the Golgi and early endosomes.
- Mutations in exocyst components (exoc-8, sec-8) phenocopied rab-10 defects and caused intracellular vesicle accumulation.
- Key dendritic proteins DMA-1 and HPO-30 were mislocalized in rab-10 and exoc-8 mutants.
Conclusions:
- RAB-10 is a critical regulator of membrane trafficking essential for dendrite morphogenesis.
- The exocyst complex collaborates with RAB-10 in delivering membrane cargo for dendritic growth.
- This work elucidates a novel pathway for membrane delivery to developing neuronal structures.
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