Reelin regulates cadherin function via Dab1/Rap1 to control neuronal migration and lamination in the neocortex.

ABSTRACT: Neuronal migration is critical for establishing neocortical cell layers and migration defects can cause neurological and psychiatric diseases. Recent studies show that radially migrating neocortical neurons use glia-dependent and glia-independent modes of migration, but the signaling pathways that control different migration modes and the transitions between them are poorly defined. Here, we show that Dab1, an essential component of the reelin pathway, is required in radially migrating neurons for glia-independent somal translocation, but not for glia-guided locomotion. During migration, Dab1 acts in translocating neurons to stabilize their leading processes in a Rap1-dependent manner. Rap1, in turn, controls cadherin function to regulate somal translocation. Furthermore, cell-autonomous n

SUBMITTER: Franco SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3056352 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature