title: Mef2 promotes spine elimination in absence of δ-catenin.
abstract: δ-Catenin is a component of the cadherin-catenin cell adhesion complex and its loss has been implicated in the mental retardation associated with the Cri du chat syndrome. We have previously demonstrated that loss of δ-catenin in a murine model during development results in excessive spine and synaptic density and function. In order to examine the role of potential molecules that might cooperate with δ-catenin to regulate spine density, we focused on Mef2. Our data demonstrate that while loss of δ-catenin does not alter the expression levels of endogenous Mef2, expression of Mef2 in neurons that are knocked down for δ-catenin promotes spine elimination. These results establish a molecular mechanism by which excessive spines in the absence of δ-catenin may be eliminated and may point toward pharmacological therapy for the Cri du chat syndrome.
authors: Developmental Neurosciences, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, United States.
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Yuan
authors: Dipika
authors: D
authors: Singh
authors: Jyothi
authors: J
authors: Arikkath
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051177:Catenins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D000095002:Delta Catenin
chemical_list: D051177:Catenins; D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors; C578042:MEF2C protein, rat; C578041:Mef2c protein, mouse; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors; D000095002:Delta Catenin