Role of citron kinase in dendritic morphogenesis of cortical neurons

Brain Res Bull. 2003 May 30;60(4):319-27. doi: 10.1016/s0361-9230(03)00058-3.

Abstract

Small GTPases of the rho family regulate the extensive rearrangements of the cytoskeleton that characterize neuronal differentiation. Citron kinase is a target molecule for activated rhoA, previously implicated in control of cytokinesis. We have found that, in addition, it could play an important role in modulating the extension of neuronal processes. Using constitutively active and dominant negative mutants, we showed that citron kinase is involved in the morphologic differentiation of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells induced by serum starvation. More importantly, quantitative analysis of citron kinase knockout cerebral cortex displayed that this molecule may differentially regulate the morphology of the dendritic compartment in corticocollicular versus callosally-projecting pyramidal neurons.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Cerebral Cortex / enzymology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / growth & development
  • Dendrites / enzymology*
  • Dendrites / physiology*
  • Dendrites / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / enzymology*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / deficiency
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • citron-kinase
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases