Right isomerism of the brain in inversus viscerum mutant mice.
Left-right (L-R) asymmetry is a fundamental feature of higher-order neural function. However, the molecular basis of brain asymmetry remains unclear. We recently reported L-R asymmetry of hippocampal circuitry caused by differential allocation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunit GluRepsilon2 (NR2B) in hippocampal synapses. Using electrophysiology and immunocytochemistry, here we analyzed the hippocampal circuitry of the inversus viscerum (iv) mouse that has a randomized laterality of internal organs. The iv mouse hippocampus lacks L-R asymmetry, it exhibits right isomerism in the synaptic distribution of the epsilon2 subunit, irrespective of the laterality of visceral organs. This independent right isomerism of the hippocampus is the first evidence that a distinct mechanism downstream of the iv mutation generates brain asymmetry.
Kawakami
Ryosuke
R
Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Dobi
Alice
A
Shigemoto
Ryuichi
R
Ito
Isao
I
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D006579:Heterozygote; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000166:cytology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses
C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate