Neural cell adhesion molecule L1 is required for fasciculation and routing of thalamocortical fibres and corticothalamic fibres.
To examine the role of neural cell adhesion molecule L1 in thalamocortical projections, we analysed L1 deficient (L1-/y) mice. Immunohistochemistry of pleiotrophin/HB-GAM, a marker for thalamocortical axons and axonal tracing experiments showed that thalamocortical axons were abnormally and highly fasciculated when they pass through the developing internal capsule. Within the cortex, however, their course was more diffuse. The corticofugal fibres immunoreactive for TAG-1 were also more strongly fasciculated and their number was decreased in L1-/y mice. Furthermore, no TAG-1-positive corticofugal axons reached the dorsal thalamus. These data suggest that L1 plays an important role in the fasciculation and routing of axons connecting between the thalamus and the cortex.
Ohyama
Kyoji
K
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. k.ohyama@sheffield.ac.uk
Tan-Takeuchi
Kyoko
K
Kutsche
Michael
M
Schachner
Melitta
M
Uyemura
Keiichi
K
Kawamura
Koki
K
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000378:metabolism; D058969:Contactin 2; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D019579:Neocortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development; D039842:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013788:Thalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000254:growth & development
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; C548675:Cntn2 protein, mouse; D058969:Contactin 2; D016207:Cytokines; D039842:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1; C066845:pleiotrophin