B-plexins control microtubule dynamics and dendrite morphology of hippocampal neurons

• Published in: Experimental cell research 2014-08, Vol.326 (1), p.174-184
• Main Authors: Laht, Piret, Otsus, Maarja, Remm, Jaanus, Veske, Andres
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, CD - genetics; Antigens, CD - metabolism; Blotting, Western; Cells, Cultured; Dendrite; Dendrites - physiology; EB3; Female; Hippocampus - cytology; Hippocampus - metabolism; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Male; Mice; Microtubule dynamics; Microtubule-Associated Proteins - genetics; Microtubule-Associated Proteins - metabolism; Microtubules - physiology; Morphology; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; Neurodevelopment; Neurons; Neurons - cytology; Neurons - metabolism; NIH 3T3 Cells; Plexin; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Receptors, Cell Surface - genetics; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Semaphorin; Semaphorins - genetics; Semaphorins - metabolism; Signal Transduction
• ISSN: 0014-4827; 1090-2422
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.06.005

Semaphorins and their receptors plexins are implicated in various processes in the nervous system, but how B-plexins regulate the growth of dendrites remains poorly characterized. We had previously observed that Plexin-B1 and B3 interact with microtubule end-binding proteins (EBs) that are central adapters at growing microtubule tips, and this interaction is involved in neurite growth. Therefore, we hypothesized that plexins regulate microtubule dynamics and through that also dendritogenesis. The role of all three B-plexins was systematically examined in these processes. B-plexins and their ligand Semaphorin-4D influence the dynamics of microtubule tips both EB-dependently and independendently. EB3 as well as Plexin-B1, B2 and B3 turned out to have a significant role in the development of dendritic arbor of rat hippocampal neurons. Our results clearly indicate that semaphorin-plexin-EB pathway is one molecular mechanism how extracellular guidance cues are translated into intracellular mechanics. Taken together, Semaphorin-4D and B-plexins modulate the dynamic behavior of microtubule tips, and are therefore important in neurite growth. •We examined the impact of all B-plexins on microtubules and dendritogenesis.•B-plexins modulate microtubule dynamics depending on their EB-binding ability.•EB3 but not EB1 depletion impairs dendrite growth.•B-plexins regulate dendrite arborization in cooperation.•Semaphorin cues are translated into intracellular mechanics via plexin-EB pathway.