First published online December 12, 2006
Development 134, 101e (2007)
© The Company of Biologists Limited
Linking dendrite structure to neuronal function
Neuronal dendrites and axons have distinct functions and morphologies, and,
to wire up the nervous system correctly, their development must be
coordinated. On p. 55,
Grueber and colleagues provide an analysis of axon projections from different
types of dendritic aborization (da) sensory neurons in Drosophila and identify
some new genes involved in axon and dendrite development. These neurons, which
lie just below the transparent body wall in Drosophila, form four classes
based on their dendritic morphology. The researchers use mosaic cell-labelling
techniques to analyze da neuron axon projections in embryonic and larval
stages. They report that the axons in da neurons in different dendritic
classes have distinct morphologies and organize into different layers of the
CNS, a novel finding that suggests that each class has a distinct function.
They also use forward genetic screening to identify loci that are involved in
sensory dendrite and/or axon patterning. This new information provides a firm
foundation for understanding the similarities and differences in the
morphogenesis of axons and dendrites.
Related articles in Development:
- Projections of Drosophila multidendritic neurons in the central nervous system: links with peripheral dendrite morphology
- Wesley B. Grueber, Bing Ye, Chung-Hui Yang, Susan Younger, Kelly Borden, Lily Y. Jan, and Yuh-Nung Jan
Development 2007 134: 55-64.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
