Regional heterogeneity of astrocyte morphogenesis dictated by the formin protein, Daam2, modifies circuit function.

ABSTRACT: Astrocytes display extraordinary morphological complexity that is essential to support brain circuit development and function. Formin proteins are key regulators of the cytoskeleton; however, their role in astrocyte morphogenesis across diverse brain regions and neural circuits is unknown. Here, we show that loss of the formin protein Daam2 in astrocytes increases morphological complexity in the cortex and olfactory bulb, but elicits opposing effects on astrocytic calcium dynamics. These differential physiological effects result in increased excitatory synaptic activity in the cortex and increased inhibitory synaptic activity in the olfactory bulb, leading to altered olfactory behaviors. Proteomic profiling and immunoprecipitation experiments identify Slc4a4 as a binding partner of Daam2 i

SUBMITTER: Jo J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8647146 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature