RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Kalirin, a Multifunctional Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, Is Necessary for Maintenance of Hippocampal Pyramidal Neuron Dendrites and Dendritic Spines
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 10593
OP 10603
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.23-33-10593.2003
VO 23
IS 33
A1 Xin-Ming Ma
A1 Jianping Huang
A1 Yanping Wang
A1 Betty A. Eipper
A1 Richard E. Mains
YR 2003
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/23/33/10593.abstract
AB The structures of dendritic spines and the dendritic tree, key determinants of neuronal function, are regulated by diverse inputs that affect many scaffolding and signaling molecules. Nevertheless, here we show that reduced expression of a single gene results in loss of dendritic spines and a decrease in dendritic complexity. Kalirin, a dual Rho GDP-GTP exchange factor, causes spine formation when overexpressed. Reduced expression of Kalirin in CA1 hippocampal neurons resulted in a reduction in linear spine density, with dispersion of postsynaptic density markers and elimination of presynaptic endings. Simplification of the apical dendritic tree preceded simplification of basal dendrites. Pyramidal cell axons were not dramatically altered. Although many factors determine dendrite shape and spine formation, expression of Kalirin is necessary for the normal function of these many regulatory elements.