DBC Seminar Series: Dr. Samantha J. Butler

Dr. Samantha J. Butler

Professor and Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Department of Neurobiology David Geffen School of Medicine

University of California, Los Angeles

“Revisiting the role(s) of netrin1 in the establishment of spinal cord circuitry”

Abstract:

We have identified an unexpected role for netrin1 as a suppressor of bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signaling in the developing dorsal spinal cord. Using a combination of gain- and loss-of-function approaches in chicken, embryonic stem cell (ESC), and mouse models, we have observed that manipulating the level of netrin1 specifically alters the patterning of the Bmp-dependent dorsal interneurons (dIs), dI1-dI3. Altered netrin1 levels also change Bmp signaling activity, as measured by bioinformatics, and monitoring phosophoSmad1/5/8 activation, the canonical intermediate of Bmp signaling, and Id levels, a known Bmp target. Together, these studies support the hypothesis that netrin1 acts from the intermediate spinal cord to regionally confine Bmp signaling to the dorsal spinal cord. Thus, netrin1 has reiterative activities shaping dorsal spinal circuits, first by regulating cell fate decisions and then acting as a short range guidance cue to direct axon extension.

For more info about Dr. Butler's research:

https://butlerlab.neurobio.ucla.edu/