A non-autonomous function of the core PCP protein VANGL2 directs peripheral axon turning in the developing cochlea

作者：Ghimire Satish R; Ratzan Evan M; Deans Michael R^*

来源：Development, 2018, 145(12): UNSP dev159012.

DOI：10.1242/dev.159012

• Cochlea
• Planar cell polarity
• Vangl2
• Axon guidance
• Spiral ganglion neuron

The cochlea is innervated by neurons that relay sound information from hair cells to central auditory targets. A subset of these are the type II spiral ganglion neurons, which have nociceptive features and contribute to feedback circuits providing neuroprotection in extreme noise. Type II neurons make a distinctive 90 degrees turn towards the cochlear base to synapse with 10-15 outer hair cells. We demonstrate that this axon turning event requires planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling and is disrupted in Vangl2 and Celsr1 knockout mice, and that VANGL2 acts non-autonomously from the cochlea to direct turning. Moreover, VANGL2 is asymmetrically distributed at intercellular junctions between cochlear supporting cells, and in a pattern that could allow it to act directly as an axon guidance cue. Together, these data reveal a non-autonomous function for PCP signaling during axon guidance occurring in the tissue that is innervated, rather than the navigating growth cone.

• 出版日期2018-6