UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

The Role of Cadherins and Catenins in the Segregation and Migration of Spinal Motor Neurons

Bello, SM; (2013) The Role of Cadherins and Catenins in the Segregation and Migration of Spinal Motor Neurons. Doctoral thesis , UCL (University College London). Green open access

[thumbnail of 1393502_Bello_Sanusi_Thesis_Redacted.pdf]
Preview
Text
1393502_Bello_Sanusi_Thesis_Redacted.pdf

Download (10MB) | Preview

Abstract

During development Spinal motor neurons are generated from their point of origin in the ventricular zone and migrate to reach their final settling position (motor pools) in the ventral spinal cord. The formation of motor pools depends on early motor column segregation; cadherins cell adhesive proteins have been implicated in the segregation of motor neurons in the spinal cord but the exact role for these cell-cell adhesion molecules in the organisation and migration of spinal motor neurons during development is not established. I show that during development expression of cadherins contribute to the organisation and migration of spinal lateral motor column (LMC) motor neurons to their final settling positions and there is close association between spinal motor neuron and radial glia. Misexpression of a dominant negative cadherin results in abnormal migration of spinal motor neurons and columnar desegregation. Similarly, expression of a dominant negative catenin (a major cytoplasmic binding partner to cadherins) results in columnar desegregation and arrest of motor neuron along their migratory route. Perturbations of Wnt signalling have no effect on motor neurons migration indicating that the results are due to perturbation of cadherin adhesive function. Our observation that cadherin and catenins but not Wnt signalling contributes to normal migration and segregation of spinal motor neurons, suggest that cadherin may act in close association with radial glia in directing the migration of spinal motor neurons similar to the establish role of radial glia in cortical neuronal migration.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Title: The Role of Cadherins and Catenins in the Segregation and Migration of Spinal Motor Neurons
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
Additional information: Third party copyright material has been removed from ethesis.
Keywords: Cadherins, Catenins, Motor neuron, Migration, Radial Glia, Spinal cord
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1393502
Downloads since deposit
115Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item