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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
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Genetic Manipulation of Cerebellar Granule Neurons In Vitro and In Vivo to Study Neuronal Morphology and Migration
Published on: March 17, 2014
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PlexinD1 signaling controls morphological changes and migration termination in newborn neurons.
Masato Sawada1, Nobuhiko Ohno2,3, Mitsuyasu Kawaguchi4
1Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.
The EMBO Journal
|January 20, 2018
Summary
Newborn neurons form a filopodium-like lateral protrusion (FLP) during migration in the olfactory bulb. This protrusion, regulated by PlexinD1 signaling, controls microtubule dynamics and halts neuronal migration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Newborn neurons migrate and differentiate into complex mature neurons.
- Neuronal migration is crucial for establishing brain architecture.
- Understanding migration termination is key to neuronal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism controlling the termination of neuronal migration in the postnatal olfactory bulb.
- To identify signaling pathways and cellular structures involved in halting neuronal movement.
Main Methods:
- Investigated newborn neuron behavior in the olfactory bulb.
- Analyzed filopodium-like lateral protrusion (FLP) formation.
- Examined the roles of PlexinD1, Rac1, and microtubule dynamics.
Main Results:
- Identified FLP formation during neuronal deceleration.
- Demonstrated FLP formation is induced by PlexinD1 downregulation and Rac1 activation.
- Showed microtubule polymerization within FLPs suppresses somal translocation.
Conclusions:
- Sema3E-PlexinD1-Rac1 signaling controls FLP formation and migration termination.
- Microtubule dynamics are precisely regulated by PlexinD1 signaling.
- Migration termination timing impacts neuronal positioning, morphology, and function.
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