cerebellar Purkinje cell layer morphogenesis

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process in which the anatomical structure of the cerebellar Purkinje cell layer is generated and organized. The Purkinje cell layer lies just underneath the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex. It contains the neuronal cell bodies of the Purkinje cells that are arranged side by side in a single layer. Candelabrum interneurons are vertically oriented between the Purkinje cells. Purkinje neurons are inhibitory and provide the output of the cerebellar cortex through axons that project into the white matter. Extensive dendritic trees from the Purkinje cells extend upward in a single plane into the molecular layer where they synapse with parallel fibers of granule cells. [GO_REF:0000021, GOC:cls, GOC:dgh, GOC:dph, GOC:jid, ISBN:0838580343]

Cerebellar Purkinje cell layer morphogenesis is a complex process that involves the coordinated migration, differentiation, and integration of Purkinje cells into the cerebellar cortex. This process begins with the generation of Purkinje cell precursors in the external granular layer (EGL), a transient layer located on the surface of the developing cerebellum. These precursors then undergo a series of intricate migratory events, migrating radially from the EGL towards the internal granular layer (IGL), the deeper layer of the cerebellar cortex. As they migrate, they progressively differentiate, acquiring their characteristic dendritic and axonal morphology. This migration is guided by various molecular cues and signals, including the Reelin protein, which acts as a chemoattractant for Purkinje cells. Upon reaching the IGL, Purkinje cells begin to form their characteristic single layer, with their dendrites extending towards the molecular layer and their axons projecting to the deep cerebellar nuclei. During this process, Purkinje cells form elaborate dendritic arbors that receive input from parallel fibers from granule cells and climbing fibers from the inferior olive. This intricate dendritic structure is crucial for the complex integration of sensory information that underlies cerebellar function. The formation of the Purkinje cell layer also involves the coordinated differentiation and migration of other cerebellar cell types, such as granule cells, Golgi cells, and Bergmann glial cells, which contribute to the formation of the cerebellar circuitry. Overall, cerebellar Purkinje cell layer morphogenesis is a highly orchestrated process that involves the interplay of numerous cellular and molecular mechanisms, leading to the formation of a complex and highly specialized neuronal layer that plays a critical role in motor control, coordination, and learning.'
"

Proteins (1)

Compounds (75)