Title:
Mechanisms underlying the differential effect of laminin and merosin on axon growth in embryonic motoneurons
Project management at the University of Würzburg:
Participating scientists:
Abstract:
Laminin and merosin differentially modulate neurite outgrowth. We found that Ca2+ levels are specifically reduced in axons but not cell bodies and dendrites of motoneurons when cultured on merosin, and that the frequency of phase Ca2+ transients in growth counts is at least four times higher on merosin than on laminin. Blockade of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel abolishes the differences in axonal Ca2+ and axon growth. Interestingly, merosin did not affect dendrite growth and dendritic Ca2+, indicating that the effects are axon-specific. We conclude that the contact of growing motor axons the synapse specific laminin isoforms enhances the excitability of motoneurons and thus induces a maturation program which shuts down the capacity to grow out long and unbranched axons.
Key words:
Axon
Neurite outgrowth
Motoneuron
Motor endplate
Projekt period: from 01.2000 to 12.2002
Funding institution:
Landeshaushalt Wissenschaftsministerium ( Bayer. Prionen-Verbund ) ,Granting date: 01.07.2001
DFG ( Schwerpunktprogramm )
DFG ( Schwerpunktprogramm )
Preceding project:
DFG Se 697/2-2 SPP
Publications: