Type I bHLH Proteins Daughterless and Tcf4 Restrict Neurite Branching and Synapse Formation by Repressing Neurexin in Postmitotic Neurons

Publication date: Available online 31 March 2016
Source:Cell Reports
Author(s): Mitchell D’Rozario, Ting Zhang, Edward A. Waddell, Yonggang Zhang, Cem Sahin, Michal Sharoni, Tina Hu, Mohammad Nayal, Kaveesh Kutty, Faith Liebl, Wenhui Hu, Daniel R. Marenda
Proneural proteins of the class I/II basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family are highly conserved transcription factors. Class I bHLH proteins are expressed in a broad number of tissues during development, whereas class II bHLH protein expression is more tissue restricted. Our understanding of the function of class I/II bHLH transcription factors in both invertebrate and vertebrate neurobiology is largely focused on their function as regulators of neurogenesis. Here, we show that the class I bHLH proteins Daughterless and Tcf4 are expressed in postmitotic neurons in Drosophila melanogaster and mice, respectively, where they function to restrict neurite branching and synapse formation. Our data indicate that Daughterless performs this function in part by restricting the expression of the cell adhesion molecule Neurexin. This suggests a role for these proteins outside of their established roles in neurogenesis.

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Teaser

Class I bHLH proneural proteins are highly conserved transcription factors generally recognized as critical for neurogenesis. D’Rozario et al. show that the Drosophila and mouse class I bHLH proteins Daughterless and Tcf4 are present in postmitotic, differentiated neurons and function to restrict neurite branch and synapse number.


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