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Mechanisms of glial-guided neuronal migration in vitro and in vivo

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Summary

Our laboratory has developed an in vitro model system in which glial-guided neuronal migration can be observed in real time. Cerebellar granule neurons migrate on astroglial fibers by apposing their cell soma against the glial arm, forming a specialized migration junction, and extending a motile leading process in the direction of migration. In vitro assays indicate that the neuronal antigen astrotactin functions as a neuron-glia ligand, and is likely to play a role in the movement of neurons along glial fibers. In heterotypic recombinations of neurons and glia from mouse cerebellum and rat hippocampus, neurons migrate on heterotypic glial processes with a cytology, speed and mode of movement identical to that of neuronal migration on homotypic glial fibers, suggesting that glial fibers provide a permissive pathway for neuronal migration in developing brain. In vivo analyses of developing cerebellum demonstrate a close coordination of afferent axon ingrowth relative to target cell migration. These studies indicate that climbing fibers contact immature Purkinje neurons during the migration and settling of Purkinje cells, implicating a role for afferents in the termination of migration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, 10032, New York, New York, USA

    M. E. Hatten

  2. Department of Pathology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, 10032, New York, New York, USA

    M. E. Hatten

  3. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, 10032, New York, New York, USA

    C. A. Mason

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  1. M. E. Hatten
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Hatten, M.E., Mason, C.A. Mechanisms of glial-guided neuronal migration in vitro and in vivo. Experientia 46, 907–916 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01939383

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