The origin recognition core complex regulates dendrite and spine development in postmitotic neurons.
The origin recognition complex (ORC) ensures exactly one round of genome replication per cell cycle through acting as a molecular switch that precisely controls the assembly, firing, and inactivation of the replication initiation machinery. Recent data indicate that it may also coordinate the processes of mitosis and cytokinesis and ensure the proper distribution of replicated genome to daughter cells. We have found that the ORC core subunits are highly expressed in the nervous system. They are selectively localized to the neuronal somatodendritic compartment and enriched in the membrane fraction. siRNA knockdown of ORC subunits dramatically reduced dendritic branch formation and severely impeded dendritic spine emergence. Expression of ORC ATPase motif mutants enhanced the branching of dendritic arbors. The ORC core complex thus appears to have a novel role in regulating dendrite and dendritic spine development in postmitotic neurons.
Huang
Zhen
Z
Department of Physiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. zhenh@itsa.ucsf.edu
Zang
Keling
K
Reichardt
Louis F
LF
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D020816:Amino Acid Motifs; D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004261:DNA Replication; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D051379:Mice; D008938:Mitosis; D050505:Mutant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051738:Origin Recognition Complex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011554:Pseudopodia / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D050505:Mutant Proteins; D051738:Origin Recognition Complex; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases