Role of small GTPases in neuronal migration and organization of mature neuronal pools

We have characterized the involvement of Rac1/Cdc42 in axon outgrowth and of the Rho/ROCK pathway in nucleokinesis (nuclear translocation) and tropism in response to netrin-1 (oriented axon outgrowth). Both processes involve distinct GTPases and are not strictly dependant (ref : Causeret et al, 2004).

We have also characterized the role of TRIO-GEF (Guanine Exchange Factor) in vivo, for the settlement of mature neuronal pools of inferior olivary neurons and also facial motoneurons (VII; Backer et al., 2007).

We further study possible regulators of those Rho GTPases during migration of precerebellar neurons and motoneurons, from their birth place to their final localization, and also during their mature organization in pools.