Pinceau organization in the cerebellum requires distinct functions of neurofascin in purkinje and basket neurons during postnatal development

Elizabeth D. Buttermore, Claire Piochon, Michael L. Wallace, Benjamin D. Philpot, Christian Hansel, Manzoor A. Bhat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Basket axon collaterals synapse onto the Purkinje soma/axon initial segment (AIS) area to form specialized structures, the pinceau, which are critical for normal cerebellar function. Mechanistic details of how the pinceau become organized during cerebellar development are poorly understood. Loss of cytoskeletal adaptor protein Ankyrin G (AnkG) results in mislocalization of the cell adhesion molecule Neurofascin (Nfasc) at the Purkinje AIS and abnormal organization of the pinceau. Loss of Nfasc in adult Purkinje neurons leads to slow disorganization of the Purkinje AIS and pinceau morphology. Here, we used mouse conditional knock-out techniques to show that selective loss of Nfasc, specifically in Purkinje neurons during early development, prevented maturation of the AIS and resulted in loss of Purkinje neuron spontaneous activity and pinceau disorganization. Loss of Nfasc in both Purkinje and basket neurons caused abnormal basket axon collateral branching and targeting to Purkinje soma/AIS, leading to extensive pinceau disorganization, Purkinje neuron degeneration, and severe ataxia. Our studies reveal that the Purkinje Nfasc is required for AIS maturation and for maintaining stable contacts between basket axon terminals and the Purkinje AIS during pinceau organization, while the basket neuron Nfasc in combination with Purkinje Nfasc is required for proper basket axon collateral outgrowth and targeting to Purkinje soma/AIS. Thus, cerebellar pinceau organization requires coordinated mechanisms involving specific Nfasc functions in both Purkinje and basket neurons.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4724-4742
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Neuroscience
Volume32
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 4 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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