Ena/VASP proteins regulate vertebrate nervous system development : a thesis presented
Name
58995025-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
11.04 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
d743e4a3fda0cdf6058a2ccd68fd97aa
Author(s)
Menzies, Annabelle Sheila, 1972-
Advisor(s)
Frank B. Gertler.
Date Issued
2004
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Nervous system development is a complex morphogenetic process. Cell migration, axon guidance and many other regulated cell shape changes build a functional nervous system. These processes depend upon regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Ena/VASP proteins are able to remodel the actin cytoskeleton in response to extracellular signals and have been shown to regulate the motility and morphology of a variety of cells. I have investigated the in vivo requirement for the vertebrate family members, Mena and VASP in nervous system development. I show that Mena and VASP are required for viability and the formation of the neural tube, spinal nerves and several brain commissures. Furthermore, I have investigated Ena/VASP function in neuronal cell migration using an in vitro assay and demonstrate that Ena/VASP proteins regulate the migration of cerebellar granule cells.
Description
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biology, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references.
Subjects
Biology.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Biology
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