Neuropilin-1a is involved in trunk motor axon outgrowth in embryonic zebrafish

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

  • Julia Feldner - , Universität Hamburg (Autor:in)
  • Thomas Becker - , Universität Hamburg (Autor:in)
  • Katsutoshi Goishi - , Harvard University (Autor:in)
  • Jörn Schweitzer - , Universität Hamburg (Autor:in)
  • Percy Lee - , Harvard University (Autor:in)
  • Melitta Schachner - , Universität Hamburg (Autor:in)
  • Michael Klagsbrun - , Harvard University (Autor:in)
  • Catherina G. Becker - , Universität Hamburg, University of Edinburgh (Autor:in)

Abstract

Neuropilin-1, a receptor for axon-repellent semaphorins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), functions both in angiogenesis and axon growth. Here, we show strong expression of neuropilin-1a in primary motor neurons in the trunk of embryonic zebrafish. Reducing the expression of neuropilin-1a using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides induced aberrant branching of motor nerves, additional exit points of motor nerves from the spinal cord, and migration of neurons out of the spinal cord along the motor axon pathway in a dose-dependent manner. These phenotypes could be partially rescued by coinjecting neuropilin-1a mRNA. Other axons in the spinal cord and head appeared unaffected by the morpholino treatment. In addition, neuropilin-1a morpholino treatment disturbed normal formation of blood vessels in the trunk of 24 hours postfertilization embryos, as shown by microangiography. Morpholinos to VEGF also disturbed formation of blood vessels but did not affect motor axons, indicating that correct formation of blood vessels is not needed for the growth of primary motor axons. Morpholinos to the semaphorin 3A homologs semaphorin 3A1 and semaphorin 3A2 also had no effect on motor axon growth. However, combined injections of neuropilin-1a morpholino, at a concentration that did not elicit axonal aberrations when injected alone, with VEGF, semaphorin 3A1, or semaphorin 3A2 morpholinos synergistically increased the proportion of embryos showing aberrant motor axon growth. Thus, neuropilin-1a in primary motor neurons may integrate signals from several ligands and is needed for proper segmental growth of primary motor nerves in zebrafish.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)535-549
Seitenumfang15
FachzeitschriftDevelopmental Dynamics
Jahrgang234
Ausgabenummer3
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Nov. 2005
Peer-Review-StatusJa
Extern publiziertJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 16110501

Schlagworte

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Schlagwörter

  • Angiogenesis, Axon guidance, Primary motor neurons, Semaphorin, VEGF

Bibliotheksschlagworte