The Potential Role of Rac Signalling and the Planar Cell Polarity Pathway in Wiring of the Enteric Nervous System
The potential role of Rac signalling and the Planar Cell Polarity pathway in wiring of the Enteric Nervous System Valentina Sasselli February 2011 Division of Molecular Neurobiology MRC National Institute for Medical Research The Ridgeway Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University College London Thesis submitted to the University College London for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Declaration of authenticity This work has been completed in the laboratory of Vassilis Pachnis, in the Division of Molecular Neurobiology at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London. I, Valentina Sasselli declare that the work presented in this thesis is the result of my own independent investigation. Where information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been indicated in the thesis. The analysis of Rac1 gene expression on Sox10Cre;Rac1flox embryos (section 3.1.1) was performed in collaboration with Dr Silvia Bogni (former post-doc in the laboratory, now at NeuroGlia Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy). I was supported by the Medical Research Council. Valentina Sasselli February, 2011 2 Abstract The functional development of the enteric nervous system (ENS) requires newly generated neurons and their progenitors to migrate to their appropriate sites, extend neurites, guide axons and dendrites to suitable locations and establish synaptic connections with the appropriate targets. Very little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying these processes. Recent studies have suggested a potential role of Rho GTPases as intracellular regulators of several ENS developmental processes. However, the relative participation of specific members of the family in migration, neurogenesis and axonal guidance of enteric progenitors has not been addressed yet.
[Show full text]