Potential mechanisms of mutations that affect neuronal migration in man and mouse

Mutations in the genes that encode filamin-1, Lis1 and doublecortin are res ponsible for X-linked lissencephaly in man, whereas mutations in the genes that encode Cdk5, its activator p35 and the reelin-signaling pathway distur b migration and architectonic development in mice. To understand the action of genes that control neuronal migration and the phenotype of correspondin g defects, it might be as important to consider the positioning of the nucl eus as it is to consider the guidance of the leading process.