Functional role for Cas cytoplasmic adaptor proteins during cortical axon pathfinding.

ABSTRACT: Proper neural circuit organization requires individual neurons to project to their targets with high specificity. While several guidance molecules have been shown to mediate axonal fasciculation and pathfinding, less is understood about how neurons intracellularly interpret and integrate these cues. Here we provide genetic evidence that the Crk-Associated Substrate (Cas) family of intracellular adaptor proteins is required for proper fasciculation and guidance of two cortical white matter tracts: the Anterior Commissure (AC) and thalamocortical axons (TCAs). Using a Cas Triple Conditional Knock Out (Cas TcKO) mouse model, we show that Cas proteins are required for proper TCA projection by a non-neuronal cortical cell population. We also demonstrate a requirement of the β1-integrin receptor

SUBMITTER: Estep JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12611149 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature