Click here to close Hello! We notice that you are using Internet Explorer, which is not supported by Xenbase and may cause the site to display incorrectly. We suggest using a current version of Chrome, FireFox, or Safari.
XB-ART-43314
Nat Cell Biol 2011 Jun 01;136:676-85. doi: 10.1038/ncb2255.
Show Gene links Show Anatomy links

Semaphorin 3A induces CaV2.3 channel-dependent conversion of axons to dendrites.

Nishiyama M , Togashi K , von Schimmelmann MJ , Lim CS , Maeda S , Yamashita N , Goshima Y , Ishii S , Hong K .


???displayArticle.abstract???
Polarized neurites (axons and dendrites) form the functional circuitry of the nervous system. Secreted guidance cues often control the polarity of neuron migration and neurite outgrowth by regulating ion channels. Here, we show that secreted semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) induces the neurite identity of Xenopus spinal commissural interneurons (xSCINs) by activating Ca(V)2.3 channels (Ca(V)2.3). Sema3A treatment converted the identity of axons of cultured xSCINs to that of dendrites by recruiting functional Ca(V)2.3. Inhibition of Sema3A signalling prevented both the expression of Ca(V)2.3 and acquisition of the dendrite identity, and inhibition of Ca(V)2.3 function resulted in multiple axon-like neurites of xSCINs in the spinal cord. Furthermore, Sema3A-triggered cGMP production and PKG activity induced, respectively, the expression of functional Ca(V)2.3 and the dendrite identity. These results reveal a mechanism by which a guidance cue controls the identity of neurites during nervous system development.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 21602796
???displayArticle.pmcLink??? PMC3395591
???displayArticle.link??? Nat Cell Biol
???displayArticle.grants??? [+]

Species referenced: Xenopus
Genes referenced: cacna1e prkg1 sema3a
???displayArticle.morpholinos??? cacna1e MO1 sema3a MO2

References [+] :
Adler, UNC-6/Netrin induces neuronal asymmetry and defines the site of axon formation. 2006, Pubmed