Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Use of Primary Cultured Hippocampal Neurons to Study the Assembly of Axon Initial Segments
Published on: February 12, 2021
Rbfox Splicing Factors Promote Neuronal Maturation and Axon Initial Segment Assembly
Martin Jacko1, Sebastien M Weyn-Vanhentenryck2, John W Smerdon3
1Departments of Systems Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Neurology, and Neuroscience, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Rbfox proteins are crucial for neuronal maturation. Their depletion impairs splicing and electrical activity, affecting the axon initial segment and overall neuron development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Neuronal maturation involves complex morphological and functional changes.
- Molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal development are not fully understood.
- Rbfox proteins (Rbfox1, Rbfox2, Rbfox3) are splicing regulators implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Rbfox proteins in neuronal maturation.
- To identify Rbfox-regulated alternative splicing events in developing neurons.
- To understand the functional consequences of Rbfox depletion on neuronal structure and function.
Main Methods:
- Generated Rbfox triple knockout (tKO) ventral spinal neurons.
- Analyzed alternative splicing patterns of cytoskeletal, membrane, and synaptic proteins.
- Assessed electrophysiological activity and axon initial segment (AIS) integrity.
Main Results:
- Rbfox tKO neurons showed widespread defects in alternative splicing.
- Electrophysiological activity was immature in Rbfox-depleted neurons.
- Axon initial segment (AIS) assembly was impaired due to altered ankyrin G splicing.
Conclusions:
- Rbfox proteins orchestrate a critical splicing program for neuronal maturation.
- Splicing regulation by Rbfox is essential for structural and functional development of postmitotic neurons.
- Dysregulation of Rbfox-mediated splicing contributes to neurodevelopmental defects.
More Related Videos
07:40Measuring Properties of the Membrane Periodic Skeleton of the Axon Initial Segment using 3D-Structured Illumination Microscopy 3D-SIM
Published on: February 11, 2022
10:06Engineering Artificial Factors to Specifically Manipulate Alternative Splicing in Human Cells
Published on: April 26, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Alternative RNA Splicing
There are five types of alternative RNA splicing that vary in the ways the pre-mRNA segments are removed or retained in the mature mRNA. The first...
Alternative RNA Splicing
RNA Splicing
Neurons: The Axon
The axon attaches to the cell body at a cone-shaped elevation called the axon hillock. The initial part of the axon, closest to the hillock, is known as the initial segment....
The Eukaryotic Promoter Region
Transcription Factors