title: Planar cell polarity genes control the connectivity of enteric neurons.
abstract: A highly complex network of intrinsic enteric neurons is required for the digestive and homeostatic functions of the gut. Nevertheless, the genetic and molecular mechanisms that regulate their assembly into functional neuronal circuits are currently unknown. Here we report that the planar cell polarity (PCP) genes Celsr3 and Fzd3 are required during murine embryogenesis to specifically control the guidance and growth of enteric neuronal projections relative to the longitudinal and radial gut axes. Ablation of these genes disrupts the normal organization of nascent neuronal projections, leading to subtle changes of axonal tract configuration in the mature enteric nervous system (ENS), but profound abnormalities in gastrointestinal motility. Our data argue that PCP-dependent modules of connectivity established at early stages of enteric neurogenesis control gastrointestinal function in adult animals and provide the first evidence that developmental deficits in ENS wiring may contribute to the pathogenesis of idiopathic bowel disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Neurobiology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sasselli
authors.forename: Werend
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Boesmans
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vanden Berghe
authors.forename: Fadel
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tissir
authors.forename: André M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Goffinet
authors.forename: Vassilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pachnis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003106:Colon / Q000502:physiology; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D051157:Frizzled Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000196:embryology / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D051379:Mice; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; C444454:Celsr3 protein, mouse; D051157:Frizzled Receptors; C486339:Fzd3 protein, mouse; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface