A multicellular rosette-mediated collective dendrite extension Journal Article


Authors: Fan, L.; Kovacevic, I.; Heiman, M. G.; Bao, Z.
Article Title: A multicellular rosette-mediated collective dendrite extension
Abstract: Coordination of neurite morphogenesis with surrounding tissues is crucial to the establishment of neural circuits, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We show that neurons in a C. elegans sensory organ, called the amphid, undergo a collective dendrite extension to form the sensory nerve. The amphid neurons first assemble into a multicellular rosette. The vertex of the rosette, which becomes the dendrite tips, is attached to the anteriorly migrating epidermis and carried to the sensory depression, extruding the dendrites away from the neuronal cell bodies. Multiple adhesion molecules including DYF-7, SAX-7, HMR-1 and DLG-1 function redundantly in rosette-to-epidermis attachment. PAR-6 is localized to the rosette vertex and dendrite tips, and promotes DYF-7 localization and dendrite extension. Our results suggest a collective mechanism of neurite extension that is distinct from the classical pioneer-follower model and highlight the role of mechanical cues from surrounding tissues in shaping neurites. © 2019, Fan et al.
Keywords: organogenesis; neuroscience; c. elegans; sensory organ; collective cell behavior; dendrite morphogenesis; multicellular rosette; neuron-epicermis interaction
Journal Title: eLife
Volume: 8
ISSN: 2050-084X
Publisher: eLife Sciences Publications Ltd.  
Date Published: 2019-02-15
Start Page: e38065
Language: English
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38065
PUBMED: 30767892
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC6400498
DOI/URL:
Notes: Source: Scopus
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  1. Zhirong Bao
    56 Bao
  2. Li Fan
    3 Fan