Seven-pass transmembrane cadherins: roles and emerging mechanisms in axonal and dendritic patterning

Mol Neurobiol. 2011 Dec;44(3):313-20. doi: 10.1007/s12035-011-8201-5. Epub 2011 Sep 10.

Abstract

The Flamingo/Celsr seven-transmembrane cadherins represent a conserved subgroup of the cadherin superfamily involved in multiple aspects of development. In the developing nervous system, Fmi/Celsr control axonal blueprint and dendritic morphogenesis from invertebrates to mammals. As expected from their molecular structure, seven-transmembrane cadherins can induce cell-cell homophilic interactions but also intracellular signaling. Fmi/Celsr is known to regulate planar cell polarity (PCP) through interactions with PCP proteins. In the nervous system, Fmi/Celsr can function in collaboration with or independently of other PCP genes. Here, we focus on recent studies which show that seven-transmembrane cadherins use distinct molecular mechanisms to achieve diverse functions in the development of the nervous system.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Axons / physiology*
  • Axons / ultrastructure
  • Cadherins / chemistry*
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cell Polarity
  • Dendrites / physiology*
  • Dendrites / ultrastructure
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Morphogenesis*
  • Nervous System / anatomy & histology
  • Nervous System / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Cadherins