Mushroom body defect is required in parallel to Netrin for midline axon guidance in Drosophila.

The outgrowth of many neurons within the central nervous system is initially directed towards or away from the cells lying at the midline. Recent genetic evidence suggests that a simple model of differential sensitivity to the conserved Netrin attractants and Slit repellents is insufficient to explain the guidance of all axons at the midline. In the Drosophila embryonic ventral nerve cord, many axons still cross the midline in the absence of the Netrin genes (NetA and NetB) or their receptor frazzled. Here we show that mutation of mushroom body defect (mud) dramatically enhances the phenotype of Netrin or frazzled mutants, resulting in many more axons failing to cross the midline, although mutations in mud alone have little effect. This suggests that mud, which encodes a microtubule-binding coiled-coil protein homologous to NuMA and LIN-5, is an essential component of a Netrin-independent pathway that acts in parallel to promote midline crossing. We demonstrate that this novel role of Mud in axon guidance is independent of its previously described role in neural precursor development. These studies identify a parallel pathway controlling midline guidance in Drosophila and highlight a novel role for Mud potentially acting downstream of Frizzled to aid axon guidance.

RalA promotes a direct exocyst-Par6 interaction to regulate polarity in neuronal development.

Cell polarization is essential for neuronal development in both the embryonic and postnatal brain. Here, using primary cultures, in vivo postnatal electroporation and conditional genetic ablation, we show that the Ras-like small GTPase RalA and its effector, the exocyst, regulate the morphology and polarized migration of neural progenitors derived from the subventricular zone, a major neurogenic niche in the postnatal brain. Active RalA promotes the direct binding between the exocyst subunit Exo84 and the PDZ domain of Par6 through a non-canonical PDZ-binding motif. Blocking the Exo84-Par6 interaction impairs polarization in postnatal neural progenitors and cultured embryonic neurons. Our results provide the first in vivo characterization of RalA function in the mammalian brain and highlight a novel molecular mechanism for cell polarization. Given that the exocyst and the Par complex are conserved in many tissues, the functional significance of their interaction and its regulation by RalA are likely to be important in a wide range of polarization events.

Regional effects of endocannabinoid, BDNF and FGF receptor signalling on neuroblast motility and guidance along the rostral migratory stream.

During development and after birth neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) generate neuroblasts that migrate along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to populate the olfactory bulb (OB) with neurons. Multiple factors promote neuroblast migration, but the contribution that many of these make to guidance within the intact RMS is not known. In the present study we have characterised in detail how endocannabinoid (eCB), BDNF and FGF receptor (FGFR) signalling regulates motility and guidance, and also determined whether any of these receptors operate in a regionally restricted manner. We used in vivo electroporation in postnatal mice to fluorescently label neuroblasts, and live cell imaging to detail their migratory properties. Cannabinoid receptor antagonists rendered neuroblasts less mobile, and when they did move guidance was lost. Similar results were obtained when eCB synthesis was blocked with diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) inhibitors, and importantly eCB function is required for directed migration at both ends of the RMS. Likewise, inhibition of BDNF signalling disrupted motility and guidance in a similar manner along the entire RMS. In contrast, altering FGFR signalling inhibits motility and perturbs guidance, but only at the beginning of the stream. Inhibition of FGFR signalling in vivo also reduces the length of the leading process on migratory neuroblasts in a graded manner along the RMS. These results provide evidence for a guidance function for all three of the above receptor systems in the intact RMS, but show that FGFR signalling is unique as it is required in a regionally specific manner.

Fascin regulates the migration of subventricular zone-derived neuroblasts in the postnatal brain.

After birth, stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) generate neuroblasts that migrate along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to become interneurons in the olfactory bulb (OB). This migration is a fundamental event controlling the proper integration of new neurons in a pre-existing synaptic network. Many regulators of neuroblast migration have been identified; however, still very little is known about the intracellular molecular mechanisms controlling this process. Here, we show that the actin-bundling protein fascin is highly upregulated in mouse SVZ-derived migratory neuroblasts. Fascin-1ko mice display an abnormal RMS and a smaller OB. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling experiments show that lack of fascin significantly impairs neuroblast migration, but does not appear to affect cell proliferation. Moreover, fascin depletion substantially alters the polarized morphology of rat neuroblasts. Protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent phosphorylation of fascin on Ser39 regulates its actin-bundling activity. In vivo postnatal electroporation of phosphomimetic (S39D) or nonphosphorylatable (S39A) fascin variants followed by time-lapse imaging of brain slices demonstrates that the phospho-dependent modulation of fascin activity ensures efficient neuroblast migration. Finally, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy studies in rat neuroblasts reveal that the interaction between fascin and PKC can be modulated by cannabinoid signaling, which controls neuroblast migration in vivo. We conclude that fascin, whose upregulation appears to mark the transition to the migratory neuroblast stage, is a crucial regulator of neuroblast motility. We propose that a tightly regulated phospho/dephospho-fascin cycle modulated by extracellular signals is required for the polarized morphology and migration in neuroblasts, thus contributing to efficient neurogenesis.

Endocannabinoids regulate the migration of subventricular zone-derived neuroblasts in the postnatal brain.

In the adult brain, neural stem cells proliferate within the subventricular zone before differentiating into migratory neuroblasts that travel along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to populate the olfactory bulb with new neurons. Because neuroblasts have been shown to migrate to areas of brain injury, understanding the cues regulating this migration could be important for brain repair. Recent studies have highlighted an important role for endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling in the proliferation of the stem cell population, but it remained to be determined whether this pathway also played a role in cell migration. We now show that mouse migratory neuroblasts express cannabinoid receptors, diacylglycerol lipase α (DAGLα), the enzyme that synthesizes the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and monoacylglycerol lipase, the enzyme responsible for its degradation. Using a scratch wound assay for a neural stem cell line and RMS explant cultures, we show that inhibition of DAGL activity or CB(1)/CB(2) receptors substantially decreases migration. In contrast, direct activation of cannabinoid receptors or preventing the breakdown of 2-AG increases migration. Detailed analysis of primary neuroblast migration by time-lapse imaging reveals that nucleokinesis, as well as the length and branching of the migratory processes are under dynamic control of the eCB system. Finally, similar effects are observed in vivo by analyzing the morphology of green fluorescent protein-labeled neuroblasts in brain slices from mice treated with CB(1) or CB(2) antagonists. These results describe a novel role for the endocannabinoid system in neuroblast migration in vivo, highlighting its importance in regulating an additional essential step in adult neurogenesis.

Drebrin regulates neuroblast migration in the postnatal mammalian brain.

After birth, stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) generate neuroblasts that migrate along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to become interneurons in the olfactory bulb (OB). This migration is crucial for the proper integration of newborn neurons in a pre-existing synaptic network and is believed to play a key role in infant human brain development. Many regulators of neuroblast migration have been identified; however, still very little is known about the intracellular molecular mechanisms controlling this process. Here, we have investigated the function of drebrin, an actin-binding protein highly expressed in the RMS of the postnatal mammalian brain. Neuroblast migration was monitored both in culture and in brain slices obtained from electroporated mice by time-lapse spinning disk confocal microscopy. Depletion of drebrin using distinct RNAi approaches in early postnatal mice affects neuroblast morphology and impairs neuroblast migration and orientation in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of drebrin also impairs migration along the RMS and affects the distribution of neuroblasts at their final destination, the OB. Drebrin phosphorylation on Ser142 by Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) has been recently shown to regulate F-actin-microtubule coupling in neuronal growth cones. We also investigated the functional significance of this phosphorylation in RMS neuroblasts using in vivo postnatal electroporation of phosphomimetic (S142D) or non-phosphorylatable (S142A) drebrin in the SVZ of mouse pups. Preventing or mimicking phosphorylation of S142 in vivo caused similar effects on neuroblast dynamics, leading to aberrant neuroblast branching. We conclude that drebrin is necessary for efficient migration of SVZ-derived neuroblasts and propose that regulated phosphorylation of drebrin on S142 maintains leading process stability for polarized migration along the RMS, thus ensuring proper neurogenesis.

Nucleofection of rodent neuroblasts to study neuroblast migration in vitro.

The subventricular zone (SVZ) located in the lateral wall of the lateral ventricles plays a fundamental role in adult neurogenesis. In this restricted area of the brain, neural stem cells proliferate and constantly generate neuroblasts that migrate tangentially in chains along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to reach the olfactory bulb (OB). Once in the OB, neuroblasts switch to radial migration and then differentiate into mature neurons able to incorporate into the preexisting neuronal network. Proper neuroblast migration is a fundamental step in neurogenesis, ensuring the correct functional maturation of newborn neurons. Given the ability of SVZ-derived neuroblasts to target injured areas in the brain, investigating the intracellular mechanisms underlying their motility will not only enhance the understanding of neurogenesis but may also promote the development of neuroregenerative strategies. This manuscript describes a detailed protocol for the transfection of primary rodent RMS postnatal neuroblasts and the analysis of their motility using a 3D in vitro migration assay recapitulating their mode of migration observed in vivo. Both rat and mouse neuroblasts can be quickly and efficiently transfected via nucleofection with either plasmid DNA, small hairpin (sh)RNA or short interfering (si)RNA oligos targeting genes of interest. To analyze migration, nucleofected cells are reaggregated in 'hanging drops' and subsequently embedded in a three-dimensional matrix. Nucleofection per se does not significantly impair the migration of neuroblasts. Pharmacological treatment of nucleofected and reaggregated neuroblasts can also be performed to study the role of signaling pathways involved in neuroblast migration.

Transcriptional basis for the inhibition of neural stem cell proliferation and migration by the TGFß-family member GDF11.

Signalling through EGF, FGF and endocannabinoid (eCB) receptors promotes adult neurogenesis, and this can be modelled in culture using the Cor-1 neural stem cell line. In the present study we show that Cor-1 cells express a TGFß receptor complex composed of the ActRIIB/ALK5 subunits and that a natural ligand for this receptor complex, GDF11, activates the canonical Smad2/3 signalling cascade and significantly alters the expression of ∼4700 gene transcripts within a few hours of treatment. Many of the transcripts regulated by GDF11 are also regulated by the EGF, FGF and eCB receptors and by the MAPK pathway - however, in general in the opposite direction. This can be explained to some extent by the observation that GDF11 inhibits expression of, and signalling through, the EGF receptor. GDF11 regulates expression of numerous cell-cycle genes and suppresses Cor-1 cell proliferation; interestingly we found down-regulation of Cyclin D2 rather than p27kip1 to be a good molecular correlate of this. GDF11 also inhibited the expression of numerous genes linked to cytoskeletal regulation including Fascin and LIM and SH3 domain protein 1 (LASP1) and this was associated with an inhibition of Cor-1 cell migration in a scratch wound assay. These data demonstrate GDF11 to be a master regulator of neural stem cell transcription that can suppress cell proliferation and migration by regulating the expression of numerous genes involved in both these processes, and by suppressing transcriptional responses to factors that normally promote proliferation and/or migration.