Title
Molecular diversity of Dscam and self-recognition
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Neurobiology; Tzumin Lee Lab; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Program
Publication Date
3-7-2012
Document Type
Book Chapter
Subjects
Animals; *Cell Adhesion Molecules; *Cell Communication; Drosophila Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation; Neurons; Protein Isoforms
Disciplines
Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Abstract
Cell recognition requires interactions through molecules located on cell surface. The insect homolog of Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam) manifests huge molecular diversity in its extracellular domain. High-affinity Dscam-Dscam interactions only occur between isoforms that carry identical extracellular domains. Homophilic Dscam signaling can, thus, vary in strength depending on the compositions of Dscams present on the opposing cell surfaces. Dscam abundantly exists in the developing nervous system and governs arborization and proper elaboration of neurites. Notably, individual neurons may stochastically and dynamically express a small subset of Dscam isoforms such that any given neurite can be endowed with a unique repertoire of Dscams. This allows individual neurites to recognize their sister branches. Self-recognition leads to self-repulsion, ensuring divergent migration of sister processes. By contrast, weak homophilic Dscam interactions may promote fasciculation of neurites that express analogous, but not identical, Dscams. Differential Dscam binding may provide graded cell recognition that in turn governs complex neuronal morphogenesis.
DOI of Published Version
10.1007/978-1-4614-1704-0_17
Source
Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012;739:262-75. Link to article on publisher's site
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Advances in experimental medicine and biology
Related Resources
PubMed ID
22399408
Repository Citation
Shi, Lei and Lee, Tzumin, "Molecular diversity of Dscam and self-recognition" (2012). Neurobiology Publications and Presentations. 126.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/neurobiology_pp/126
Comments
Co-author Lei Shi is a student in the Neuroscience program in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at UMass Medical School.