title: Mice that lack astrotactin have slowed neuronal migration.
abstract: The cortical regions of the brain are laminated as a result of directed migration of precursor cells along glia during development. Previously, we have used an assay system to identify astrotactin as a neuronal ligand for migration on glial fibers. To examine the function of astrotactin in vivo, we generated a null mutation by targeted gene disruption. The cerebella of astrotactin null mice are approximately 10% smaller than wild type. In vitro and in vivo cerebellar granule cell assays show a decrease in neuron-glial binding, a reduction in migration rates and abnormal development of Purkinje cells. Consequences of this are poorer balance and coordination. Thus, astrotactin functions in migration along glial processes in vivo, a process required for generating laminar structures and for the development of synaptic partner systems.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021-6399, USA.
authors.forename: Niels C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Toshifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tomoda
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hatten
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009043:Motor Activity; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: C072976:Astn1 protein, mouse; D006023:Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins