GSK-3beta and alpha-catenin binding regions of beta-catenin exert opposing effects on the terminal ventral optic axonal projection.
We overexpressed two deletion mutants of the N-terminal domain of beta-catenin in ventral optic axons in living Xenopus tadpoles. One deletion mutant contained both the alpha-catenin and the GSK-3beta binding sites of the N-terminal domain of beta-catenin (NTERM), and the second deletion mutant contained only the GSK-3beta binding site (beta-cat107). Expression of NTERM in ventral optic axons dispersed and induced anterior and lateral shifts in their targeting locations in the dorsal tectum. In contrast, beta-cat107 compressed and shifted the synaptic targeting locations of ventral optic axons medially and posteriorly. In addition, NTERM-expressing ventral optic axons formed arbors that were wider than controls whereas beta-cat107 axonal arbors were narrower compared with controls. These data suggest that the interactions of beta-catenin with alpha-catenin and GSK-3beta exert opposing effects on the terminal projections of ventral optic axons.
Wiley
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A
Department of Basic Sciences, Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro Univerisity-California, Vallejo, California 94592, USA.
Edalat
K
K
Chiang
P
P
Mora
M
M
Mirro
K
K
Lee
M
M
Muhr
H
H
Elul
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D051178:alpha Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3