title: Axon pathfinding proceeds normally despite disrupted growth cone decisions at CNS midline.
abstract: Axons in the bilateral brain of Drosophila decide whether or not to cross the midline before following their specific subsequent pathways. In commissureless mutants, the RP3 and V motoneuron axons often fail to cross the midline but subsequently follow the mirror-image pathways and innervate corresponding muscle targets on the ipsilateral side. Conversely, in roundabout mutants, the RP2 and aCC motoneuron axons sometimes cross the midline abnormally but their subsequent pathways and synaptic targeting are the perfect mirror images of those seen in wild type. Furthermore, within a single segment of these mutants, bilateral pairs of motoneuron axons can make their midline decisions independently of each other. Thus, neither the growth cones' particular molecular experience nor the decision at the midline caused by these mutations affects their ability to respond normally to subsequently presented cues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Structural Biology and Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiba
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000097905:Roundabout Proteins
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D000097905:Roundabout Proteins; C110665:comm protein, Drosophila