Essential Role of Linx/Islr2 in the Development of the Forebrain Anterior Commissure

Sci Rep. 2018 May 8;8(1):7292. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24064-0.

Abstract

Linx is a member of the leucine-rich repeat and immunoglobulin family of membrane proteins which has critical roles in the development of the peripheral nervous system and forebrain connectivity. A previous study showed that Linx is expressed in projection neurons in the cortex and in cells that comprise the passage to the prethalamus that form the internal capsule, indicating the involvement of Linx in axon guidance and cell-cell communication. In this study, we found that Linx-deficient mice develop severe hydrocephalus and die perinatally by unknown mechanisms. Importantly, mice heterozygous for the linx gene exhibited defects in the development of the anterior commissure in addition to hydrocephalus, indicating haploinsufficiency of the linx gene in forebrain development. In N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells and primary cultured hippocampal neurons, Linx depletion led to impaired neurite extension and an increase in cell body size. Consistent with this, but of unknown significance, we found that Linx interacts with and upregulates the activity of Rho-kinase, a modulator of many cellular processes including cytoskeletal organization. These data suggest a role for Linx in the regulation of complex forebrain connectivity, and future identification of its extracellular ligand(s) will help clarify this function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anterior Commissure, Brain / growth & development*
  • Anterior Commissure, Brain / metabolism
  • Axon Guidance / genetics
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Hippocampus / growth & development
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Limbic System / growth & development
  • Limbic System / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Mice
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Peripheral Nervous System / growth & development*
  • Peripheral Nervous System / metabolism
  • Prosencephalon / growth & development*
  • Prosencephalon / metabolism

Substances

  • Linx protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins