EphA4 (Sek1) receptor tyrosine kinase is required for the development of the corticospinal tract.
Members of the Eph family of tyrosine kinase receptors have been implicated in the regulation of developmental processes and, in particular, axon guidance in the developing nervous system. The function of the EphA4 (Sek1) receptor was explored through creation of a null mutant mouse. Mice with a null mutation in the EphA4 gene are viable and fertile but have a gross motor dysfunction, which is evidenced by a loss of coordination of limb movement and a resultant hopping, kangaroo-like gait. Consistent with the observed phenotype, anatomical studies and anterograde tracing experiments reveal major disruptions of the corticospinal tract within the medulla and spinal cord in the null mutant animals. These results demonstrate a critical role for EphA4 in establishing the corticospinal projection.
Dottori
M
M
Queensland Institute for Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Herston, Queensland 4029, Australia.
Hartley
L
L
Galea
M
M
Paxinos
G
G
Polizzotto
M
M
Kilpatrick
T
T
Bartlett
P F
PF
Murphy
M
M
Köntgen
F
F
Boyd
A W
AW
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005838:Genotype; D006720:Homozygote; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000196:embryology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000196:embryology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D036122:Receptor, EphA4; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013234:Stem Cells
D005326:Fetal Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D036122:Receptor, EphA4