Dysregulated Dscam levels act through Abelson tyrosine kinase to enlarge presynaptic arbors.

Sterne, Gabriella R; Kim, Jung Hwan; Ye, Bing · Elife · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Increased expression of Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule (Dscam) is implicated in the pathogenesis of brain disorders such as Down syndrome (DS) and fragile X syndrome (FXS). Here, we show that the cellular defects caused by dysregulated Dscam levels can be ameliorated by genetic and pharmacological inhibition of Abelson kinase (Abl) both in Dscam-overexpressing neurons and in a Drosophila model of fragile X syndrome. This study offers Abl as a potential therapeutic target for treating brain disorders associated with dysregulated Dscam expression.

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