Centrosomin represses dendrite branching by orienting microtubule nucleation

Cagri Yalgin, Saman Ebrahimi, Caroline Delandre, Li Foong Yoong, Saori Akimoto, Heidi Tran, Reiko Amikura, Rebecca Spokony, Benjamin Torben-Nielsen, Kevin P. White, Adrian W. Moore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

89 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Neuronal dendrite branching is fundamental for building nervous systems. Branch formation is genetically encoded by transcriptional programs to create dendrite arbor morphological diversity for complex neuronal functions. In Drosophila sensory neurons, the transcription factor Abrupt represses branching via an unknown effector pathway. Targeted screening for branching-control effectors identified Centrosomin, the primary centrosome-associated protein for mitotic spindle maturation. Centrosomin repressed dendrite branch formation and was used by Abrupt to simplify arbor branching. Live imaging revealed that Centrosomin localized to the Golgi cis face and that it recruited microtubule nucleation to Golgi outposts for net retrograde microtubule polymerization away from nascent dendrite branches. Removal of Centrosomin enabled the engagement of wee Augmin activity to promote anterograde microtubule growth into the nascent branches, leading to increased branching. The findings reveal that polarized targeting of Centrosomin to Golgi outposts during elaboration of the dendrite arbor creates a local system for guiding microtubule polymerization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1437-1445
Number of pages9
JournalNature Neuroscience
Volume18
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - 28 Oct 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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