Mutations in a Human ROBO Gene Disrupt Hindbrain Axon Pathway Crossing and Morphogenesis

JC Jen, WM Chan, TM Bosley, J Wan, JR Carr, U Rüb… - Science, 2004 - science.org
JC Jen, WM Chan, TM Bosley, J Wan, JR Carr, U Rüb, D Shattuck, G Salamon, LC Kudo
Science, 2004science.org
The mechanisms controlling axon guidance are of fundamental importance in
understanding brain development. Growing corticospinal and somatosensory axons cross
the midline in the medulla to reach their targets and thus form the basis of contralateral
motor control and sensory input. The motor and sensory projections appeared uncrossed in
patients with horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS). In patients affected
with HGPPS, we identified mutations in the ROBO3 gene, which shares homology with …
The mechanisms controlling axon guidance are of fundamental importance in understanding brain development. Growing corticospinal and somatosensory axons cross the midline in the medulla to reach their targets and thus form the basis of contralateral motor control and sensory input. The motor and sensory projections appeared uncrossed in patients with horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS). In patients affected with HGPPS, we identified mutations in the ROBO3 gene, which shares homology with roundabout genes important in axon guidance in developing Drosophila, zebrafish, and mouse. Like its murine homolog Rig1/Robo3, but unlike other Robo proteins, ROBO3 is required for hindbrain axon midline crossing.
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