Drosophila N-cadherin mediates an attractive interaction between photoreceptor axons and their targets

Saurabh Prakash; Jason C Caldwell; Daniel F Eberl; Thomas R Clandinin

doi:10.1038/nn1415

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Drosophila N-cadherin mediates an attractive interaction between photoreceptor axons and their targets

Journal article

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Drosophila N-cadherin mediates an attractive interaction between photoreceptor axons and their targets

Saurabh Prakash, Jason C Caldwell, Daniel F Eberl and Thomas R Clandinin

Nature neuroscience, Vol.8(4), pp.443-450

04/2005

DOI: 10.1038/nn1415

PMCID: PMC2367251

PMID: 15735641

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Abstract

Classical cadherins have been proposed to mediate interactions between pre- and postsynaptic cells that are necessary for synapse formation. We provide the first direct, genetic evidence in favor of this model by examining the role of N-cadherin in controlling the pattern of synaptic connections made by photoreceptor axons in Drosophila . N-cadherin is required in both individual photoreceptors and their target neurons for photoreceptor axon extension. Cell-by-cell reconstruction of wild-type photoreceptor axons extending within mosaic patches of mutant target cells shows that N-cadherin mediates attractive interactions between photoreceptors and their targets. This interaction is not limited to those cells that will become the synaptic partners of photoreceptors. Multiple N-cadherin isoforms are produced, but single isoforms can substitute for endogenous N-cadherin activity. We propose that N-cadherin mediates a homophilic, attractive interaction between photoreceptor growth cones and their targets that precedes synaptic partner choice.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Drosophila N-cadherin mediates an attractive interaction between photoreceptor axons and their targets
Creators: Saurabh Prakash - Department of Neurobiology, 299 W. Campus Drive, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
Jason C Caldwell - Department of Biological Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
Daniel F Eberl - Department of Biological Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
Thomas R Clandinin - Department of Neurobiology, 299 W. Campus Drive, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Nature neuroscience, Vol.8(4), pp.443-450
DOI: 10.1038/nn1415
PMID: 15735641
PMCID: PMC2367251
NLM abbreviation: Nat Neurosci
ISSN: 1097-6256
eISSN: 1546-1726
Language: English
Date published: 04/2005
Academic Unit: Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biology
Record Identifier: 9984070493502771

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