Abstract
The shape of dendritic trees and the density of dendritic spines can undergo significant changes during the life of a neuron. We report here the function of the small GTPases Rac and Rho in the maintenance of dendritic structures. Maturing pyramidal neurons in rat hippocampal slice culture were biolistically transfected with dominant GTPase mutants. We found that expression of dominant-negative Rac1 results in a progressive elimination of dendritic spines, whereas hyperactivation of RhoA causes a drastic simplification of dendritic branch patterns that is dependent on the activity of a downstream kinase ROCK. Our results suggest that Rac and Rho play distinct functions in regulating dendritic spines and branches and are vital for the maintenance and reorganization of dendritic structures in maturing neurons.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Biolistics
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Dendrites / enzymology*
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Dendrites / genetics
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Dendrites / ultrastructure
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Gene Expression
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Genes, Dominant / genetics
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Genes, Reporter
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Hippocampus / cytology
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Hippocampus / enzymology*
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Hippocampus / growth & development
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In Vitro Techniques
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Mice
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Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
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Phenotype
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
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Pyramidal Cells / enzymology*
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Pyramidal Cells / ultrastructure
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RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
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Rats
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Rats, Long-Evans
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Signal Transduction / physiology
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rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
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rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*
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rho-Associated Kinases
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rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / genetics
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rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*
Substances
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
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rho-Associated Kinases
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Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins
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rac1 GTP-Binding Protein
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rhoA GTP-Binding Protein