Essential roles for the Abl and Arg tyrosine kinases in neurulation

The Abl and Arg tyrosine kinases play fundamental roles in the development and function of the central nervous system. Arg is most abundant in adult m ouse brain, especially in synapse-rich regions. arg(-/-) mice develop norma lly but exhibit multiple behavioral abnormalities, suggesting that arg(-/-) brains suffer from defects in neuronal function. Embryos deficient in both Abl and Arg suffer from defects in neurulation and die before 11 days post coitum (dpc). Although they divide normally, abl(-/-)arg(-/-) neuroepitheli al cells display gross alterations in their actin cytoskeleton. We find tha t Abl and Arg colocalize with each other and with actin microfilaments at t he apical surface of the developing neuroepithelium. Thus, Abl and Arg play essential roles in neurulation and can regulate the structure of the actin cytoskeleton.