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Configuring a robust nervous system with Fat cadherins.

Evelyn C Avilés1, Lisa V Goodrich1

  • 1Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|June 13, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Atypical cadherins are versatile signaling molecules. These Fat cadherins organize developing neuronal circuits by mediating contact-induced changes in the nervous system.

Keywords:
Fat cadherinsFat-like cadherinsNeural developmentPlanar polarityTissue polarity

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular signaling

Background:

  • Atypical cadherins are signaling molecules influencing cell proliferation and tissue polarity.
  • Their large extracellular and intracellular domains facilitate diverse protein interactions.
  • Global coordination of cell behavior is crucial in the nervous system for organizing neurons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of Fat cadherins in the nervous system.
  • To understand how Fat cadherins mediate contact-induced changes.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which Fat cadherins structure developing neuronal circuits.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Fat cadherin structure and function.
  • Investigating protein-protein interactions within Fat cadherins.
  • Studying the impact of Fat cadherins on neuronal development and circuit formation.

Main Results:

  • Fat cadherins possess extensive domains for cell adhesion and signaling.
  • These molecules translate local adhesion events into cellular behaviors.
  • Evidence indicates Fat cadherins impose structure on developing neuronal circuits.

Conclusions:

  • Fat cadherins are key regulators of neuronal circuit organization.
  • Their signaling function is critical for coordinating neuronal development.
  • Further research into Fat cadherins will illuminate neural circuit assembly.