Abstract
Recent studies have uncovered the molecular basis of self-avoidance and tiling, two fundamental principles required for the formation of neural circuits. Both of these wiring strategies are established through homophilic repulsion between Dscam proteins expressed on opposing cell surfaces. In Drosophila, Dscam1 mediates self-avoidance, whereas Dscam2 mediates tiling. By contrast, phenotypes in the retina of the DSCAM mutant mouse indicate that DSCAM functions in both self-avoidance and tiling. These findings suggest that homophilic recognition molecules that have classically been defined as adhesive may also function as repulsive cues and that Dscam proteins specialize in this function.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Cell Communication / genetics
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Cell Differentiation / genetics*
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Drosophila Proteins / genetics
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Drosophila Proteins / physiology*
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Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
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Drosophila melanogaster / embryology
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Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
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Humans
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Nervous System / cytology
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Nervous System / embryology*
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Nervous System / metabolism*
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Neural Pathways / cytology
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Neural Pathways / embryology
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Neural Pathways / metabolism
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Neurons / cytology
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Neurons / metabolism*
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Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
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Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
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Retina / cytology
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Retina / embryology
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Retina / metabolism
Substances
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Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Drosophila Proteins
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Dscam1 protein, Drosophila
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Receptors, Cell Surface