L3 - Gradients in Axon Guidance Flashcards
What is the gradient guiding c-axons from the roofplate to floorplate
ChemoREPELLENT BMPs from the roofplate
ChemoATTRACTANT Netrins from the floorplate
What is dorsal
Roof plate
What is ventral
Floor plate
Cells that express the NETRIN gene are able to
Turn c-axons
Most of the c-axons in mammals turn …
Rostrally
A rostal turn is from _____ to _______
Posterior to anterior
What are the two possibilities for WHY the c-axons make the rostral turn
AP gradient of chemoattractant vs repellent
Short range, non diffusible cue
What would be the prediction that could be made if the cue was diffusible vs non diffusible
A small explant will lose its gradient if the chemotrophic agent is diffusible (large explant won’t)
If the guiding factor was non diffusible then this would not be the case
Evidence from Journal club paper
What are the questions to identifying the candidate molecule
Right place right time
Suff
Nesc
How did the journal club paper identify Wnts as the candidate molecule
Only Wnts had any effect
Wnt4 expressed in a AP gradient in the FP
Wnt4 transfected cos cells can turn post crossing axons in either directions
Fz3 KO mouse has confused turns post floor plate
Wnt4 binds to Fzd3
Wnt gradients act over distances of …
At least few mm
What are the two ways a cell can detect gradients
Temporal detection
Spatial detection
What is temporal detection
Change in concentration over time
Cell must compare ammount of ligand at two different time points
What is spatial detections
Change in concentration across the cell (or growth cone)
Cell must compare the ammount of ligand at two different points on its surface
What mech of detection is likely to be most useful for SLOW MOVING EUKARYOTES
Spatial detection
What is the accuracy of orientation towards a source dependent on
The absolute concentration
Steepness of the concnetration gradient
When is the most accourate response seen. Why is this?
When absolute conc closest to Kd
Since will have half of the receptors occupied and will be easiest to detect change
What is the gradient expressed as
% change per um
A gradient of 0.2% is equivilant to a ____ change per 10um
2%
Cells with a ______ diameter oritent better than _______ cells in shallower gradeints
LARGER
SMALLER
What is amplification used for
To enhance sensitivity to gradients
What does amplificiation require
Local enhancement of signal together wirh inhibition of signal reception in other parts of the cell