Localization of the netrin guidance receptor, DCC, in the developing peripheral and enteric nervous systems

Over recent years the secreted guidance cue, netrin-1, and its receptor. DC C, have been shown to be an essential guidance system driving axon pathfind ing within the developing vertebrate central nervous system (CNS). Mice lac king DCC exhibit severe defects in commissural axon extension towards the f loor plate demonstrating that the DCC-netrin guidance system is largely res ponsible for directing axonal projections toward the ventral midline in the developing spinal cord (Fazeli et al., Nature 386 (1997) 796). In addition , these mutants lack several major commissures within the Forebrain, includ ing the corpus callosum and the hippocampal commissure. In contrast to the CNS, the role of the DCC guidance receptor in the development of the mammal ian peripheral and enteric nervous systems (PNS and ENS) has not been inves tigated. Here we demonstrate using immunohistochemical analysis that the DC C receptor is present in the developing mouse PNS where it is found on spin al, segmental, and sciatic nerves, and in developing sensory ganglia and th eir associated axonal projections. In addition, DCC is present in the ENS t hroughout the early developmental phase. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.