Pea3 transcription factors are key mediators of hippocampal dendrite growth during development

FONTANET, P; ALSINA, F; IRALA, D; BONAFINA, A; PARATCHA, G; LEDDA, F

Huerta Grande, Córdoba

Congreso; XXIX Congreso de la SOciedad Arentina de Neurociencias; 2014

Sociedad Argentina de Neurociencias

Pea3 transcription factors are key mediators of hippocampal dendrite growth during development Paula Fontanet, Fernando Alsina, Dolores Irala, Antonela Bonafina, Gustavo Paratcha, Fernanda Ledda The development of a complex, type specific dendrite morphology plays a major role in governing the functional properties of neurons and neural circuits. Many neurodevelopmental disorders are due to structural abnormalities of dendrites and their connections. The size and shape of dendritic arbors result from the interplay of intrinsic genetic programs and extrinsic signals. Identifying transcriptional programs and signaling pathways triggered by extracellular cues that control neuronal circuit formation is of great importance in order to be able to decipher and understand the functioning of mature nervous system. In this work we identified two members of the Pea3 family of transcriptional factors, Etv4 and Etv5, as key regulators of growth and elaboration of pyramidal cell dendrites in the developing hippocampus. Gain and loss of function assays indicate that these transcription factors play a crucial role in the establishment of hippocampal connectivity. We also provide evidence indicating that Etv4 and Etv5 are induced by the neurotrophin, BDNF. All together, our data indicates that BDNF induce a transcriptional program which play a crucial role in the establishment of hippocampal connections.