Nervous-tissue-specific elimination of microtubule-actin crosslinking factor 1a results in multiple developmental defects in the mouse brain.
The microtubule-actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1) is a ubiquitous cytoskeletal linker protein with multiple spliced isoforms expressed in different tissues. The MACF1a isoform contains microtubule and actin-binding regions and is expressed at high levels in the nervous system. Macf1-/- mice are early embryonic lethal and hence the role of MACF1 in the nervous system could not be determined. We have specifically knocked out MACF1a in the developing mouse nervous system using Cre/loxP technology. Mutant mice died within 24-36h after birth of apparent respiratory distress. Their brains displayed a disorganized cerebral cortex with a mixed layer structure, heterotopia in the pyramidal layer of the hippocampus, disorganized thalamocortical and corticofugal fibers, and aplastic anterior and hippocampal commissures. Embryonic neurons showed a defect in traversing the cortical plate. Our data suggest a critical role for MACF1 in neuronal migration that is dependent on its ability to interact with both microfilaments and microtubules.
Goryunov
Dmitry
D
Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY, NY 10032, USA.
He
Cui-Zhen
CZ
Lin
Chyuan-Sheng
CS
Leung
Conrad L
CL
Liem
Ronald K H
RK
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics
C490632:Macf1 protein, mouse; D008840:Microfilament Proteins