title: DNA topoisomerase IIbeta and neural development.
abstract: DNA topoisomerase IIbeta is shown to have an unsuspected and critical role in neural development. Neurogenesis was normal in IIbeta mutant mice, but motor axons failed to contact skeletal muscles, and sensory axons failed to enter the spinal cord. Despite an absence of innervation, clusters of acetylcholine receptors were concentrated in the central region of skeletal muscles, thereby revealing patterning mechanisms that are autonomous to skeletal muscle. The defects in motor axon growth in IIbeta mutant mice resulted in a breathing impairment and death of the pups shortly after birth.
authors.affiliation: Skirball Institute of Molecular Medicine, New York University Medical School, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Prescott
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Burden
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019070:Cell Lineage; D003463:Cues; D004260:DNA Repair; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology / Q000294:innervation; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D018390:Gene Targeting; D007366:Intercostal Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000196:embryology / Q000294:innervation*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017729:Presynaptic Terminals / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000032:analysis; D012867:Skin / Q000294:innervation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D004250:DNA Topoisomerases, Type II