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Endogenous electric currents might guide rostral migration of neuroblasts
Author(s) -
Cao Lin,
Wei Dongguang,
Reid Brian,
Zhao Siwei,
Pu Jin,
Pan Tingrui,
Yamoah Ebenezer N,
Zhao Min
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/embor.2012.215
Subject(s) - neuroblast , subventricular zone , neuroscience , electric field , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , physics , neurogenesis , progenitor cell , stem cell , quantum mechanics
Mechanisms that guide directional migration of neuroblasts from the subventricular zone (SVZ) are not well understood. We report here that endogenous electric currents serve as a guidance cue for neuroblast migration. We identify the existence of naturally occurring electric currents (1.5±0.6 μA/cm 2 , average field strength of ∼3 mV/mm) along the rostral migration path in adult mouse brain. Electric fields of similar strength direct migration of neuroblasts from the SVZ in culture and in brain slices. The purinergic receptor P2Y1 mediates this migration. The results indicate that naturally occurring electric currents serve as a new guidance mechanism for rostral neuronal migration.