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bioRxiv · 10.1101/357541

N-Cadherin Provides a Cis and Trans Ligand for Astrotactin that Functions in Glial-Guided Neuronal Migration

Horn, Z.·Behesti, H.·Hatten, M. E.
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Abstract

Prior studies demonstrate that Astrotactin (ASTN1) provides a neuronal receptor for glial-guided CNS migration. Here we report that ASTN1 binds N-cadherin (CDH2) and that the ASTN1:CDH2 interaction supports cell-cell adhesion. To test the function of ASTN1:CDH2 binding in glial-guided neuronal migration, we generated a conditional loss of Cdh2 in cerebellar granule cells and in glia. Granule cell migration was slowed in cerebellar slice cultures after a conditional loss of neuronal Cdh2, and more severe migration defects occurred after a conditional loss of glial Cdh2. Expression of a mutant form of ASTN1 that does not bind CDH2, in granule cells, also slowed migration. Moreover, in vitro chimeras of granule cells and glia showed impaired neuron-glia attachment in the absence of glial, but not neuronal, Cdh2. Thus, cis and trans bindings of ASTN1 to neuronal and glial CDH2 form an asymmetric neuron-glial bridge complex that promotes glial-guided neuronal migration.

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Horn, Z., Behesti, H., Hatten, M. E.. 2018-06-27. N-Cadherin Provides a Cis and Trans Ligand for Astrotactin that Functions in Glial-Guided Neuronal Migration. https://doi.org/10.1101/357541

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