GTPases and the control of neuronal polarity.
Neurons are probably the most highly polarized cell type and typically develop a single axon and several dendrites. The establishment of a polarized morphology and the functional specialization of axonal and dendritic compartments are essential steps in the differentiation of neurons. Primary cultures of dissociated hippocampal neurons are a widely used system to study the development of neuronal differentiation. In this article, we will describe gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches that allow us to analyze the role of GTPases in neuronal differentiation.
Schwamborn
Jens C
JC
Institut fur Allgemeine Zoologie and Genetik, Westfalische Wilhelms Universitat, Munster, Germany.
Li
Yinghua
Y
Püschel
Andreas W
AW
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D051381:Rats; D014162:Transfection; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism
D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; D020764:cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein