Abstract |
Delta-catenin is a brain-specific member of the adherens junction complex that localizes to the postsynaptic and dendritic compartments. This protein is likely critical for normal cognitive function; its hemizygous loss is linked to the severe mental retardation syndrome Cri-du-Chat and it directly interacts with presenilin-1 (PS1), the protein most frequently mutated in familial Alzheimer's disease. Here we examine dendritic structure and cortical function in vivo in mice lacking delta-catenin. We find that in cerebral cortex of 5-week-old mice, dendritic complexity, spine density, and cortical responsiveness are similar between mutant and littermate controls; thereafter, mutant mice experience progressive dendritic retraction, a reduction in spine density and stability, and concomitant reductions in cortical responsiveness. Our results indicate that delta-catenin regulates the maintenance of dendrites and dendritic spines in mature cortex but does not appear to be necessary for the initial establishment of these structures during development.
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Authors | Cheryl Matter, Mochtar Pribadi, Xin Liu, Joshua T Trachtenberg |
Journal | Neuron
(Neuron)
Vol. 64
Issue 3
Pg. 320-7
(Nov 12 2009)
ISSN: 1097-4199 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 19914181
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Catenins
- Cell Adhesion Molecules
- Phosphoproteins
- enhanced green fluorescent protein
- Green Fluorescent Proteins
- Delta Catenin
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Topics |
- Aging
- Animals
- Catenins
- Cell Adhesion Molecules
(genetics, metabolism)
- Cell Size
- Cerebral Cortex
(cytology, growth & development, physiology)
- Dendrites
(physiology)
- Dendritic Spines
(physiology)
- Electric Stimulation
- Green Fluorescent Proteins
(genetics, metabolism)
- Kinetics
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Microelectrodes
- Mutation
- Neurons
(cytology, physiology)
- Phosphoproteins
(genetics, metabolism)
- Pyramidal Cells
(cytology, physiology)
- Visual Cortex
(cytology, growth & development, physiology)
- Delta Catenin
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