Dynactin is essential for growth cone advance.
Dynactin is a multi-subunit complex that serves as a critical cofactor of the microtubule motor cytoplasmic dynein. We previously identified dynactin in the nerve growth cone. However, the function of dynactin in the growth cone is still unclear. Here we show that dynactin in the growth cone is required for constant forward movement of the growth cone. Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation (CALI) of dynamitin, a dynactin subunit, within the growth cone markedly decreases the rate of growth cone advance. CALI of dynamitin in vitro dissociates another dynactin subunit, p150(Glued), from dynamitin. These results indicate that dynactin, especially the interaction between dynamitin and p150(Glued), plays an essential role in growth cone advance.
Abe
Takako K
TK
Center of Bioresource-based Researches, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, 1 Asahimachi, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8585, Japan.
Honda
Takao
T
Takei
Kohtaro
K
Mikoshiba
Katsuhiko
K
Hoffman-Kim
Diane
D
Jay
Daniel G
DG
Kuwano
Ryozo
R
D000818:Animals; D000072159:Dynactin Complex; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000378:metabolism*; D007834:Lasers; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects
C000606364:Dctn1 protein, mouse; C000606365:Dctn2 protein, mouse; D000072159:Dynactin Complex; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits