The adhesion molecule TAG-1 mediates the migration of cortical interneurons from the ganglionic eminence along the corticofugal fiber system

Development. 2001 Nov;128(22):4635-44. doi: 10.1242/dev.128.22.4635.

Abstract

Cortical nonpyramidal cells, the GABA-containing interneurons, originate mostly in the medial ganglionic eminence of the ventral telencephalon and follow tangential migratory routes to reach the dorsal telencephalon. Although several genes that play a role in this migration have been identified, the underlying cellular and molecular cues are not fully understood. We provide evidence that the neural cell adhesion molecule TAG-1 mediates the migration of cortical interneurons. We show that the migration of these neurons occurs along the TAG-1-expressing axons of the developing corticofugal system. The spatial and temporal pattern of expression of TAG-1 on corticofugal fibers coincides with the order of appearance of GABAergic cells in the developing cortex. Blocking the function of TAG-1, but not of L1, another adhesion molecule and binding partner of TAG-1, results in a marked reduction of GABAergic neurons in the cortex. These observations reveal a mechanism by which the adhesion molecule TAG-1, known to be involved in axonal pathfinding, also takes part in neuronal migration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / embryology*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / isolation & purification
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Cerebral Cortex / embryology*
  • Contactin 2
  • Efferent Pathways
  • Interneurons / physiology*
  • Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / isolation & purification
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Models, Neurological
  • Nerve Fibers
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / isolation & purification
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Thalamus / cytology
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Cntn2 protein, mouse
  • Contactin 2
  • Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid