The Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy
Seminar
Sergi Simó, Ph.D.,
Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center
Thursday, June 19, 2014
1:00 PM
GBSF Auditorium (Room 1005)
“To stop or not to stop: Cullin-5 controls final neuron position”
Neurons are the building blocks that form our brains and their proper localization is essential to
generate a functional organ. A wide variety of migration cues guide neurons from the proliferation
niches to their final destination, where they stop, mature, and integrate into the existing network.
Consequently, failure in neuron migration or localization causes several physical and mental
diseases. The extracellular matrix protein Reelin is a migration cue essential for neuronal
migration and proper brain patterning. My research showed that termination of the Reelin
signaling pathway is crucial to regulate neuronal migration and localization. I found that the E3
ubiquitin ligase CRL5 opposes Reelin signaling by targeting the intracellular adaptor protein Dab1
for proteasomal degradation. Moreover, I demonstrated that the temporal and spatial activation of
CRL5 allows differential regulation of Reelin signaling in different regions and at different times
during CNS development. Overall, my research suggests that termination of signaling pathways
is as important as their activation to control neuronal migration and generate a functional brain.
Light refreshments will be served
Please contact Amy Weaver for additional information adweaver@ucdavis.edu; 752-4328