Stage-Specific Functions of the Small Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1 for Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis
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Date
2013-01-16
Publication Type
Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The molecular mechanisms underlying the generation, maturation, and integration of new granule cells generated throughout life in the mammalian hippocampus remain poorly understood. Small Rho GTPases, such as Cdc42 and Rac1, have been implicated previously in neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) proliferation and neuronal maturation during embryonic development. Here we used conditional genetic deletion and virus-based loss-of-function approaches to identify temporally distinct functions for Cdc42 and Rac1 in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. We found that Cdc42 is involved in mouse NSPC proliferation, initial dendritic development, and dendritic spine maturation. In contrast, Rac1 is dispensable for early steps of neuronal development but is important for late steps of dendritic growth and spine maturation. These results establish cell-autonomous and stage-specific functions for the small Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac1 in the course of adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Publication status
published
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
33 (3)
Pages / Article No.
1179 - 1189
Publisher
Society for Neuroscience
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Edition / version
Methods
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Date collected
Date created
Subject
Organisational unit
03367 - Suter, Ulrich (emeritus) / Suter, Ulrich (emeritus)
Notes
Received 2 May 2012, Revised 12 November 2012, Accepted 13 November 2012.