A hypomorphic allele of dab1 reveals regional differences in reelin-Dab1 signaling during brain development.
The disabled 1 (Dab1) p80 protein is essential for reelin signaling during brain development. p80 has an N-terminal domain for association with reelin receptors, followed by reelin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation sites and about 310 C-terminal residues of unknown function. We have generated mutant mice that express only a natural splice form of Dab1, p45, that lacks the C-terminal region of p80. The normal development of these mice implies that the receptor-binding region and tyrosine phosphorylation sites of p80 are sufficient for reelin signaling. However, a single copy of the truncated gene does not support normal development of the neocortex and hippocampus. The CA1 region of the hippocampus is split into two well-organized layers, while the marginal zone of the neocortex is invaded by late-born cortical plate neurons. The haploinsufficiency of the p45 allele of Dab1 implies that the C terminus of p80 affects the strength of reelin-Dab1 signaling, yet there is no apparent change in reelin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of p45 relative to p80. Therefore, we suggest that the C-terminal region of Dab1 p80 is involved in signaling to downstream effector molecules. Furthermore, the presence of late-born cortical plate neurons in the marginal zone reveals a requirement for reelin-Dab1 signaling in late-born cortical plate neurons, and helps distinguish models for the cortical inversion in the reeler mutant mouse.
Herrick
Tara M
TM
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
Cooper
Jonathan A
JA
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000002:abnormalities; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D008959:Models, Neurological; D019579:Neocortex / Q000002:abnormalities; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D000091042:Reelin Protein; D015398:Signal Transduction
C103773:Dab1 protein, mouse; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000091042:Reelin Protein; C000717128:Reln protein, mouse