Growth cone morphology and spreading are regulated by a dynamin-cortactin complex at point contacts in hippocampal neurons.

ABSTRACT: Neuronal growth cone (GC) migration and targeting are essential processes for the formation of a neural network during embryonic development. Currently, the mechanisms that support directed motility of GCs are not fully defined. The large GTPase dynamin and an interacting actin-binding protein, cortactin, have been localized to GCs, although the function performed by this complex is unclear. We have found that cortactin and the ubiquitous form of dynamin (Dyn) 2 exhibit a striking co-localization at the base of the transition zone of advancing GCs of embryonic hippocampal neurons. Confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopies demonstrate that this basal localization represents point contacts. Exogenous expression of wild-type Dyn2 and cortactin leads to large, exceptiona

SUBMITTER: Kurklinsky S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3278041 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature