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Chondrolectin (Chodl) is needed for motor axon extension in zebrafish and is dysregulated in mouse models of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, the mechanistic basis of Chodl function is not known. Here, we use Chodl-deficient zebrafish and mouse mutants to show that the absence of Chodl leads to anatomical and functional defects of the neuromuscular synapse. In zebrafish, the growth of an identified motor axon beyond an "en passant" synapse and later axon branching from synaptic points are impaired, leading to functional deficits. Mechanistically, motor-neuron-autonomous Chodl function depends on its intracellular domain and on binding muscle-derived collagen XIXa1 by its extracellular C-type lectin domain. Our data support evolutionarily conserved roles of Chodl in synaptogenesis and provide evidence for a "synapse-first" scenario of motor axon growth in zebrafish.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.celrep.2019.09.033

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell Rep

Publication Date

29/10/2019

Volume

29

Pages

1082 - 1098.e10

Keywords

CaP motor neurons, axon growth, extracellular matrix, horizontal myoseptum, muscle pioneer cells, neuromuscular junction, stalled motor axons, synapse, zebrafish