Reelin-Disabled-1 signaling in neuronal migration: splicing takes the stage

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2013 Jul;70(13):2319-29. doi: 10.1007/s00018-012-1171-6. Epub 2012 Sep 28.

Abstract

Reelin-Disabled-1 (Dab1) signaling has a well-established role in regulating neuronal migration during brain development. Binding of Reelin to its receptors induces Dab1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Tyrosine-phosphorylated Dab1 recruits a wide range of SH2 domain-containing proteins and activates multiple signaling cascades, resulting in cytoskeleton remodeling and precise neuronal positioning. In this review, we summarize recent progress in the Reelin-Dab1 signaling field. We focus on Dab1 alternative splicing as a mechanism for modulating the Reelin signal in developing brain. We suggest that correct positioning of neurons in the developing brain is at least partly controlled by alternatively-spliced Dab1 isoforms that differ in the number and type of tyrosine phosphorylation motifs that they contain. We propose a model whereby different subsets of SH2 domain-containing proteins are activated by different Dab1 isoforms, resulting in coordinated migration of neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / physiology
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Polarity
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology
  • Neurons / chemistry*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / physiology
  • Reelin Protein
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / physiology
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Tyrosine / metabolism

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Dab1 protein, mouse
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Reelin Protein
  • Tyrosine
  • RELN protein, human
  • Reln protein, mouse
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex