Prof Andrew Jarman Flashcards
What is the name of the binding accessory which stabilise the array of microtubules in an axon? Name this binding accessory that is specific to dendrites and axons.
Microtubule-associated protein (MAP) and Tau
Dendrites: MAP2
Axon: MAP1B and Tau
State the mechanism in which axon elongates
Elongation occurs not by stretching because the microtubules are rigid, instead they laid out new membrane components to elongate themselves.
In the Ena/VASP mutation, what was the observation? And which structure is affected?
The mutant cannot formed lamellipodia and does not seem to exhibit actin dynamics. ENA/VASP protein are known to be involved in actin polymerization and chemotaxis of the lamellipodia.
Describe the six stages of neurite outgrowth
- Neural precursor cells is spherical. The mesh-work of actin filaments under its plasma membrane act as a barrier and prevent the formation of outgrowth.
- Actin filament is disrupted at specific points -> allows penetration of microtubules -> formation of lamellipodia and filopodia
- The initial sprouts are very dynamic -> initial sprouts is formed but is still very much dynamic
- Cells becomes polarised: one become the dendrites and one become the axon
- Remaining neurites stopped their cycles of being ‘dynamic’ and develop into branches or mature into dendrites.
- Neutrons established their identity by its morphology (some develop dendritic spines)
What protein in laminin? Which process does it involves in?
What is CSPG?
Laminin is a complex protein with multiple domains that binds to other proteins in the ECM and on cells and axons. It is a potent inducer of neurite outgrowth.
CSPG inhibit laminin-induced outgrowth of cultured cells.
Name two mechanisms which is required for the formation of filopodia and lamellipodia. And how do they able to achieve this?
Cytoskeleton rearrangements and recruitment of new membrane components to the growing site. Through complex network of signalling molecules and second messengers
What is the name of the two factors that could switch between the inactive and active state of small G proteins?
GEF - guanine nucleotide exchange factor, swap bound GDP to GTP causing activation
GAP - GTPase activating protein, promote G-protein catalysed hydrolysis thereby causing inactivation of G protein
List the members of the Ras superfamily and what do each members of the family regulate?
Rho, Rac and Cdc42
This superfamily is involved in cell shape regulation, activating gene expression and promote neural survival and plasticity.
Rho: inhibit axon elongation
Rac: promotes axon elongation
Cdc42: initial outgrowth and neurite branching
what set up the pattern of gene expression?
morphogen
what is the 15 segmental units in the insect nervous system?
ganglia
which comes first? diversification or segmentation of neurones?
diversification
at the syncytial blastoderm stage, are the cells identical to each other?
cells look morphologically identical but they are already expressing different genes. EVEN BEFORE GASTRULATION AND NEURAL INDUCTION OCCUR
what does the French flag model demonstrate?
it demonstrate that molecules respond to different morphogen concentrations and the response is activation of inhibition of gene expression
which axis does the bicoid and hunchback diffuse through?
anterior to posterior
what do bicoid and hunchback activate and how to they do it? what do you refer to this molecule which can induce gene activation in a certain manner?
gap genes in threshold dependent manner
morphogens
where in the embryo does hb regulate the expression of kr?
in the middle of the embryo
how does the expression of gap genes later established a distinct and sharp domain?
example: kruppel and giant
kr and gt have repressive interactions this helps to sharpen their expression boundaries
what do gap genes encode?
zinc finger TF
how is the AP identity of cells established?
through the combination of gap and pair-rule genes which activates hox genes in different AP domains.
therefore different segments express different combinations of hox genes -> identity
what do the hox genes encode? and how do these genes arose?
the encode homeodomain TF
tandem duplication
what is the homeotic effect?
mutation which causes one body part to resemble another (Ubx mutant has additional wings in different segment)
which structure has segments called rhombomeres?
hindbrain
we know in drosophila hox genes are important in patterning the AP axis, what about in vertebrates?
how is the what hox genes regulate differ in both drosophila and vertebrates?
pattern this hindbrain and SC
e.g. rhobomeres (segments)
in drosophila the mutations are simpler but in vertebrates mutations of different regions in rhombomeres causes more complex phenotype hence, hox genes also plays a role in segmentation in addition to segment identity
what are the fours early graded signals which regulates the hox genes? which ones are the posterirorizing signals?
- BMP
- Wnt
- FGF
- Retinoic acid
last three are posteriorizing signals
name the signal which sets a default anterior fate of the neural plate
BMP inhibitors
later graded signals are posteriorising signals how do the neural plate maintain its anterior identity?
through a third signal (extreme anterior) called cerberus (Wnt/FGF inhibitors)
what is retinoid acid? how does RA regulate the expression of Hox genes?
RA is a small organic molecule related to vitamin A
it crosses the membrane of the recipient cell where it forms a complex with RA receptor (RAR).
the RA-RAR complex translocates into the nucleus where it target genes by binding to DNA sequence called retinoid acid response element (RARE). Thus regulate the expression of some hox genes
is hox genes expressed in the anterior brain?
NUUUUUU. anterior brain referring to forebrain/midbrain. but they are expressed in the hindbrain -> SC
name the six genes which gives each segment of the brain its identity and pair them with the ones they formed boundaries with
Six3 -> Irx3
Pax6 -> En1
Otx2 -> Gbx2
where do neuroblasts gain their identity from?
from their location
what gave rise to two new signals being produces in the AP of each segment in Drosophila? what happened after this?
interactions of TF between the AP cells give rise to expression of wg and hh mRNA.
the mRNA translates into protein which creates a local gradient
what gives neuroblasts its unique individual identity?
intersections expression of genes
how do new signalling centres formed?
they formed at boundaries between gene expression for local patterning
where is the isthmic organiser located and what does it expressed?
what structure develop and a result of this patterning?
boundary between midbrain and hindbrain
FGF8 and Wnt1 which diffuses locally through the midbrain (FGF8). in which it activates TF encoded by en1 and en2 -> formation of the cerebellum and tectum
remember the irx3, six3, etc are genes that creates and set BOUNDARIES and THEY ARE TF GENESSSSS
Otay.
what are the three features of morphogen (in terms of how they affect the cells)?
- they formed a concentration gradient
- induce activation or inhibition of gene expression in cells that respond to it
- they provide positional information
what is homeotic transformation? give an example and what do they conclude when the observed mutation in the Hox gene causes homeotic transformations in segment identity?
homeotic transformation is when the mutation of a hox gene causes the mutated segment to resembled the identity of another segment.
mutation in Ubx (ultrabithorax) gene causes the third segment to develop as if it has the identity of the second thoracic segment.
therefore the normal function of Hox gene is t assigned identity to a segment, selector genes
what do columnar genes encode?
homeodomain transcription factors