Language
English
Publication Date
7-7-2025
Journal
Journal of Cell Biology
DOI
10.1083/jcb.202410023
PMID
40498035
PMCID
PMC12153508
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
6-11-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
The arrangement of neurons into ordered layers underlies circuit function in many nervous system regions. This is particularly true in the mammalian retina. Here, fate-committed retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) migrate from the apical to the inner retina, where they form connections that enable vision. The mechanisms that permit ganglion cell migration and whether distinct ganglion cell types use different migration modes are unknown. We show that the serine/threonine kinase LKB1 regulates ganglion cell migration and nuclear positioning. In the absence of LKB1, many ganglion cells remain in the apical retina. Misplaced cells show modified morphologies and display altered cytoskeletal proteins. Examination of RGC types revealed that LKB1 is specifically required to promote F-type RGC (F-RGC) migration. The failure of F-RGCs to migrate results in a significant F-RGC loss via increased cell death and microglia engulfment. Together, these results identify molecular determinates of ganglion cell migration and indicate that different ganglion cell types can use distinct programs to ensure their localization.
Keywords
Retinal Ganglion Cells, Animals, Cell Movement, Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases, Cell Survival, Mice, AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases, Retina, Mice, Knockout, Microglia, AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Mackin, Robert D; Bhalla, Ritika V; Akhanov, Viktor; et al., "Retinal Ganglion Cell Migration and Viability Requires the Kinase LKB1" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7247.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7247