Disruption of the MacMARCKS gene prevents cranial neural tube closure and results in anencephaly.

MacMARCKS is a member of the MARCKS family of protein kinase C (PKC) substrates. Biochemical evidence demonstrates that these proteins integrate calcium and PKC-dependent signals to regulate actin structure at the membrane. We report here that deletion of the MacMARCKS gene prevents cranial neural tube closure in the developing brain, resulting in anencephaly. This suggests a central role for MacMARCKS and the PKC signal transduction pathway in the folding of the anterior neural plate during the early phases of brain formation, and supports the hypothesis that actin-based motility directs cranial neural tube closure. IMAGES:

MacMARCKS是MARCKS家族蛋白激酶C（PKC）底物的一员。生化研究证据表明，这类蛋白可整合钙信号与PKC依赖型信号，进而调控细胞膜处的肌动蛋白结构。本研究证实，敲除MacMARCKS基因会阻碍发育中大脑的颅神经管闭合，最终导致无脑畸形。该结果提示，在脑形成的早期阶段，MacMARCKS与PKC信号转导通路在前神经板折叠过程中发挥核心作用，并支持了“基于肌动蛋白的运动调控颅神经管闭合”这一假说。IMAGES: