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The cytoplasmic dynein complex is fundamentally important to all eukaryotic cells for transporting a variety of essential cargoes along microtubules within the cell. This complex also plays more specialized roles in neurons. The complex consists of 11 types of protein that interact with each other and with external adaptors, regulators and cargoes. Despite the importance of the cytoplasmic dynein complex, we know comparatively little of the roles of each component protein, and in mammals few mutants exist that allow us to explore the effects of defects in dynein-controlled processes in the context of the whole organism. Here we have taken a genotype-driven approach in mouse (Mus musculus) to analyze the role of one subunit, the dynein light intermediate chain 1 (Dync1li1). We find that, surprisingly, an N235Y point mutation in this protein results in altered neuronal development, as shown from in vivo studies in the developing cortex, and analyses of electrophysiological function. Moreover, mutant mice display increased anxiety, thus linking dynein functions to a behavioral phenotype in mammals for the first time. These results demonstrate the important role that dynein-controlled processes play in the correct development and function of the mammalian nervous system.

Original publication

DOI

10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5244-10.2011

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Neurosci

Publication Date

06/04/2011

Volume

31

Pages

5483 - 5494

Keywords

Animals, Animals, Newborn, Asparagine, Behavior, Animal, Cell Count, Cells, Cultured, Cerebral Cortex, Cytoplasmic Dyneins, Dendrites, Embryo, Mammalian, Female, Fibroblasts, Ganglia, Spinal, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Green Fluorescent Proteins, Male, Maze Learning, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Transgenic, Motor Activity, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Neural Conduction, Neurons, Phenotype, Point Mutation, Protein Transport, Psychomotor Performance, Statistics, Nonparametric, Tyrosine, Weight Lifting