From The Cover

Control of dendrite arborization by an Ig family member, dendrite arborization and synapse maturation 1 (Dasm1)

Song-Hai Shi, Daniel N. Cox, Denan Wang, Lily Yeh Jan, and Yuh-Nung Jan ^*

Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University of California, 1550 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94143-0725

Abstract: Development of both dendrites and axons is important for the formation of neuronal circuits, because dendrites receive information and the axon is responsible for sending signals. In the past decade, extensive studies have revealed many molecules underlying axonal outgrowth and pathfinding. In contrast, much less is known about the molecular mechanisms that control dendrite development. Here we report the identification of an evolutionarily conserved Ig superfamily member, dendrite arborization and synapse maturation 1 (Dasm1), which plays a critical role in dendrite development. Dasm1 contains five Ig domains and two fibronectin III domains in the extracellular N terminus, a single transmembrane domain, and an intracellular C-terminal tail with a type I PDZ domain binding motif at the end. It is highly expressed in the brain and localized at the dendrites. Suppression of Dasm1 expression in hippocampal neurons via RNA interference or expression of Dasm1 without its cytoplasmic tail specifically impairs dendrite, but not axon, outgrowth. Together with its orthologues in other species, Dasm1 defines a family of molecules likely involved specifically in dendrite arborization.

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ynjan{at}itsa.ucsf.edu.

The MicroRNA-17-92 Cluster Enhances Axonal Outgrowth in Embryonic Cortical Neurons.

Y. Zhang, Y. Ueno, X. S. Liu, B. Buller, X. Wang, M. Chopp, and Z. G. Zhang (2013)
J. Neurosci. 33, 6885-6894
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TRPC5 Channel Is the Mediator of Neurotrophin-3 in Regulating Dendritic Growth via CaMKII{alpha} in Rat Hippocampal Neurons.

Z. He, C. Jia, S. Feng, K. Zhou, Y. Tai, X. Bai, and Y. Wang (2012)
J. Neurosci. 32, 9383-9395
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »

MAGUKs, Synaptic Development, and Synaptic Plasticity.

C.-Y. Zheng, G. K. Seabold, M. Horak, and R. S. Petralia (2011)
Neuroscientist 17, 493-512
 |  Abstract »  |  PDF »

The Conserved Ig Superfamily Member Turtle Mediates Axonal Tiling in Drosophila.

K. Ferguson, H. Long, S. Cameron, W.-T. Chang, and Y. Rao (2009)
J. Neurosci. 29, 14151-14159
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »

Dendrite branching and self-avoidance are controlled by Turtle, a conserved IgSF protein in Drosophila.

H. Long, Y. Ou, Y. Rao, and D. J. van Meyel (2009)
Development 136, 3475-3484
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »

Mapping a Barbiturate Withdrawal Locus to a 0.44 Mb Interval and Analysis of a Novel Null Mutant Identify a Role for Kcnj9 (GIRK3) in Withdrawal from Pentobarbital, Zolpidem, and Ethanol.

L. B. Kozell, N. A. R. Walter, L. C. Milner, K. Wickman, and K. J. Buck (2009)
J. Neurosci. 29, 11662-11673
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TRPC6 channels promote dendritic growth via the CaMKIV-CREB pathway.

Y. Tai, S. Feng, R. Ge, W. Du, X. Zhang, Z. He, and Y. Wang (2008)
J. Cell Sci. 121, 2301-2307
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The Protein Dendrite Arborization and Synapse Maturation 1 (Dasm-1) Is Dispensable for Dendrite Arborization.

A. Mishra, B. Knerr, S. Paixao, E. R. Kramer, and R. Klein (2008)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 28, 2782-2791
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Dasm1: A Receptor That Shapes Neuronal Dendrites and Turns On Silent Synapses?.

D. L. Falls (2005)
Sci. STKE 2005, pe10
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From The Cover: The immunoglobulin family member dendrite arborization and synapse maturation 1 (Dasm1) controls excitatory synapse maturation.

S.-H. Shi, T. Cheng, L. Y. Jan, and Y.-N. Jan (2004)
PNAS 101, 13346-13351
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