Neuronal migration is a key developmental event that shapes the brain and central nervous system. In C. elegans, the bilaterally symmetric Q neuroblasts give rise to descendants that migrate anteriorly (on the right) and posteriorly (on the left) dependent upon Wnt signaling. While canonical Wnt pathways resulting in transcriptional changes are understood, it is less clear how these transcriptional changes induced by Wnt result in specific cell and growth cone guidance decisions. In this proposal we seek to understand the mechanisms of Wnt-induced transcriptional changes in the guidance of neuroblast migration in C. elegans. In the absence of the Wnt signal, the Q neuroblast descendants migrate to the anterior. The Hox transcription factor MAB-5 mediates this posterior guidance in response to Wnt, and might regulate other genes that specify posterior versus anterior migration. We will take advantage of this relatively simple guidance decision to identify genes regulated by MAB-5 that control posterior versus anterior migration. We will analyze the transcriptomes of wild-type and mab-5 loss of function and gain of function mutants using the emerging technology of transcript sequencing (RNA-seq) on the Illumina Genome AnalyzerII instrument to identify genes that are upregulated or downregulated in response to MAB-5 activity. We will then use high throughput RNAi to identify which of these candidate genes control Q descendant migration. This would represent a unique advance and insight into the transcriptional regulation of differentiation by identifying downstream differentiation factors regulated by transcripton factors. These studies will also test the efficacy the emerging technology of RNA-seq to identify transcriptional targets of transcription factors via mutant analysis, a question normally addressed with microarrays. While techniques are available to isolate RNA pools from specific cell populations in model organisms, they might not be feasible for all cells types due to limitations on the availability of cell-specific promoters or the low amount of RNA recovered. In this proposal we will test the sensitivity of RNA-seq to detect changes in gene expression in RNA populations isolated from whole organisms. This proposal is significant in that it will identify MAB-5 Hox targets in guided cell migration, and in that it will test the efficacy and sensitivity of the emerging technology of RNA-seq in the identification of transcriptional targets in model organisms where cell-specific RNA pools often cannot be obtained.

Public Health Relevance

Neuronal migration is a key process in brain and central nervous system development. Deficits in this process can lead to developmental disorders with mental retardation, such as lissencephalies, and also might contribute to schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. The goal of this proposal is to use the model organism nematode worm C. elegans to understand the basic molecular mechanisms of neuronal migration, which might provide insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with developmental disorders of the central nervous system. The proposal also will test the efficacy the emerging technology of RNA-seq to identify gene expression differences and transcription factor targets.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21NS070417-01A1
Application #
8015905
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-P (02))
Program Officer
Morris, Jill A
Project Start
2010-07-01
Project End
2012-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$290,600
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Kansas Lawrence
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
076248616
City
Lawrence
State
KS
Country
United States
Zip Code
66045
Reiner, David J; Lundquist, Erik A (2018) Small GTPases. WormBook 2018:1-65
Josephson, Matthew P; Aliani, Rana; Norris, Megan L et al. (2017) The Caenorhabditis elegans NF2/Merlin Molecule NFM-1 Nonautonomously Regulates Neuroblast Migration and Interacts Genetically with the Guidance Cue SLT-1/Slit. Genetics 205:737-748
Josephson, Matthew P; Miltner, Adam M; Lundquist, Erik A (2016) Nonautonomous Roles of MAB-5/Hox and the Secreted Basement Membrane Molecule SPON-1/F-Spondin in Caenorhabditis elegans Neuronal Migration. Genetics 203:1747-62
Josephson, Matthew P; Chai, Yongping; Ou, Guangshuo et al. (2016) EGL-20/Wnt and MAB-5/Hox Act Sequentially to Inhibit Anterior Migration of Neuroblasts in C. elegans. PLoS One 11:e0148658
Sundararajan, Lakshmi; Norris, Megan L; Lundquist, Erik A (2015) SDN-1/Syndecan Acts in Parallel to the Transmembrane Molecule MIG-13 to Promote Anterior Neuroblast Migration. G3 (Bethesda) 5:1567-74
Norris, Adam D; Sundararajan, Lakshmi; Morgan, Dyan E et al. (2014) The UNC-6/Netrin receptors UNC-40/DCC and UNC-5 inhibit growth cone filopodial protrusion via UNC-73/Trio, Rac-like GTPases and UNC-33/CRMP. Development 141:4395-405
Sundararajan, Lakshmi; Norris, Megan L; Schöneich, Sebastian et al. (2014) The fat-like cadherin CDH-4 acts cell-non-autonomously in anterior-posterior neuroblast migration. Dev Biol 392:141-52
Alan, Jamie K; Struckhoff, Eric C; Lundquist, Erik A (2013) Multiple cytoskeletal pathways and PI3K signaling mediate CDC-42-induced neuronal protrusion in C. elegans. Small GTPases 4:208-20
Alan, Jamie K; Lundquist, Erik A (2013) Mutationally activated Rho GTPases in cancer. Small GTPases 4:159-63
Macdonald, Stuart J; Mostafa, Heba H; Morrison, Lynda A et al. (2012) Genome sequence of herpes simplex virus 1 strain KOS. J Virol 86:6371-2

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