Got diversity? Wiring the fly brain with Dscam

S. Lawrence Zipursky, Woj M. Wojtowicz, Daisuke Hattori

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Drosophila gene Dscam, encoding Down syndrome cell-adhesion molecule, is required for the development of neural circuits. Alternative splicing of Dscam mRNA potentially generates 38 016 isoforms of a cell-surface recognition protein of the immunoglobulin superfamily. These isoforms include 19 008 different ectodomains joined to one of two alternative transmembrane segments. Each ectodomain comprises a unique combination of three variable immunoglobulin domains. Biochemical studies support a model in which each isoform preferentially binds to the same isoform on opposing cell surfaces. This homophilic binding requires matching at all three variable immunoglobulin domains. These findings raise the intriguing possibility that specificity of binding by the Dscam isoforms mediates cell-surface recognition events required for wiring the fly brain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)581-588
Number of pages8
JournalTrends in biochemical sciences
Volume31
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

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