Developmental anatomy of reeler mutant mouse

Dev Growth Differ. 2009 Apr;51(3):271-86. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-169X.2009.01102.x.

Abstract

The reeler mouse is one of the most famous spontaneously occurring mutants in the research field of neuroscience, and this mutant has been used as a model animal to understand mammalian brain development. The classical observations emphasized that laminar structures of the reeler brain are highly disrupted. Molecular cloning of Reelin, the gene responsible for reeler mutant provided insights into biochemistry of Reelin signal, and some models had been proposed to explain the function of Reelin signal in brain development. However, recent reports of reeler found that non-laminated structures in the central nervous system are also affected by the mutation, making function of Reelin signal more controversial. In this review, we summarized reported morphological and histological abnormalities throughout the central nervous system of the reeler comparing to those of the normal mouse. Based on this overview of the reeler abnormalities, we discuss possible function of Reelin signal in the neuronal migration and other morphological events in mouse development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Neurologic Mutants / anatomy & histology*
  • Mice, Neurologic Mutants / genetics
  • Mice, Neurologic Mutants / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Reelin Protein
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Reelin Protein
  • Reln protein, mouse
  • Serine Endopeptidases