Evidence for the Involvement of Tiam1 in Axon Formation

P. KUNDA; G. PAGLINI; S. QUIROGA; K. KOSIK; A. CÁCERES

The Journal of Neurosciences

Año: 2001 vol. 21 p. 2361 - 2361

font face="HelveticaNeue-Roman" size="1"> In cultured neurons, axon formation is preceded by the appearance in one of the multiple neurites of a large growth cone containing a labile actin network and abundant dynamic microtubules. The invasion-inducing T-lymphoma and metastasis 1 (Tiam1) protein that functions as a guanosine nucleotide exchange factor for Rac1 localizes to this neurite and its growth cone, where it associates with microtubules. Neurons overexpressing Tiam1 extend several axon-like neurites, whereas suppression of Tiam1 prevents axon formation, with most of the cells failing to undergo changes in growth cone size and in cytoskeletal organization typical of prospective axons. Cytochalasin D reverts this effect leading to mult