Adherens Junctions: Guardians of Cortical Development

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Apical radial glia form the neuroepithelium of embryonic lateral ventricles, crucial for neocortical development.
• Apical-basal polarity in radial glia is vital for neurogenesis, cell migration, and maintaining ventricular wall integrity.
• Cadherin-based adherens junctions (AJs) are essential for radial glial polarity, neuroepithelial cohesion, and resisting mechanical stress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review animal studies elucidating the role of AJs in apical radial glia.
• To understand how AJs maintain radial glial morphology and function during corticogenesis.
• To explore molecular mechanisms underlying AJ assembly and stability in radial glia and their link to cortical development.

Main Methods:

• Review of key animal studies focusing on adherens junctions in radial glia.
• Analysis of molecular and cellular processes involved in AJ formation and stability.
• Investigation of the interplay between AJs, polarity complexes, and the actin cytoskeleton.

Main Results:

• Adherens junctions are critical for maintaining radial glial apicobasal polarity and neuroepithelial integrity.
• Junctional instability leads to radial glial collapse, ventricular disruption, and cortical malformations.
• Mutations affecting AJ formation are linked to inherited cortical malformations and hydrocephalus.

Conclusions:

• Radial glial junctions are pivotal for successful corticogenesis.
• Reciprocal interactions between AJs and polarity complexes establish and maintain radial glial polarity.
• Actin cytoskeleton dynamics are crucial for stabilizing cadherin adhesion and buffering mechanical forces during cortical expansion.