@article{12282,
  abstract     = {From a simple thought to a multicellular movement},
  author       = {Amberg, Nicole and Stouffer, Melissa A and Vercellino, Irene},
  issn         = {1477-9137},
  journal      = {Journal of Cell Science},
  number       = {8},
  publisher    = {The Company of Biologists},
  title        = {{Operation STEM fatale – how an equity, diversity and inclusion initiative has brought us to reflect on the current challenges in cell biology and science as a whole}},
  doi          = {10.1242/jcs.260017},
  volume       = {135},
  year         = {2022},
}

@article{12283,
  abstract     = {Neurons extend axons to form the complex circuitry of the mature brain. This depends on the coordinated response and continuous remodelling of the microtubule and F-actin networks in the axonal growth cone. Growth cone architecture remains poorly understood at nanoscales. We therefore investigated mouse hippocampal neuron growth cones using cryo-electron tomography to directly visualise their three-dimensional subcellular architecture with molecular detail. Our data showed that the hexagonal arrays of actin bundles that form filopodia penetrate and terminate deep within the growth cone interior. We directly observed the modulation of these and other growth cone actin bundles by alteration of individual F-actin helical structures. Microtubules with blunt, slightly flared or gently curved ends predominated in the growth cone, frequently contained lumenal particles and exhibited lattice defects. Investigation of the effect of absence of doublecortin, a neurodevelopmental cytoskeleton regulator, on growth cone cytoskeleton showed no major anomalies in overall growth cone organisation or in F-actin subpopulations. However, our data suggested that microtubules sustained more structural defects, highlighting the importance of microtubule integrity during growth cone migration.},
  author       = {Atherton, Joseph and Stouffer, Melissa A and Francis, Fiona and Moores, Carolyn A.},
  issn         = {1477-9137},
  journal      = {Journal of Cell Science},
  keywords     = {Cell Biology},
  number       = {7},
  publisher    = {The Company of Biologists},
  title        = {{Visualising the cytoskeletal machinery in neuronal growth cones using cryo-electron tomography}},
  doi          = {10.1242/jcs.259234},
  volume       = {135},
  year         = {2022},
}

@article{17067,
  abstract     = {Human doublecortin (DCX) mutations are associated with severe brain malformations leading to aberrant neuron positioning (heterotopia), intellectual disability and epilepsy. DCX is a microtubule-associated protein which plays a key role during neurodevelopment in neuronal migration and differentiation. Dcx knockout (KO) mice show disorganized hippocampal pyramidal neurons. The CA2/CA3 pyramidal cell layer is present as two abnormal layers and disorganized CA3 KO pyramidal neurons are also more excitable than wild-type (WT) cells. To further identify abnormalities, we characterized Dcx KO hippocampal neurons at subcellular, molecular and ultrastructural levels. Severe defects were observed in mitochondria, affecting number and distribution. Also, the Golgi apparatus was visibly abnormal, increased in volume and abnormally organized. Transcriptome analyses from laser microdissected hippocampal tissue at postnatal day 60 (P60) highlighted organelle abnormalities. Ultrastructural studies of CA3 cells performed in P60 (young adult) and > 9 months (mature) tissue showed that organelle defects are persistent throughout life. Locomotor activity and fear memory of young and mature adults were also abnormal: Dcx KO mice consistently performed less well than WT littermates, with defects becoming more severe with age. Thus, we show that disruption of a neurodevelopmentally-regulated gene can lead to permanent organelle anomalies contributing to abnormal adult behavior.},
  author       = {Stouffer, Melissa A and Khalaf-Nazzal, R. and Cifuentes-Diaz, C. and Albertini, G. and Bandet, E. and Grannec, G. and Lavilla, V. and Deleuze, J.-F. and Olaso, R. and Nosten-Bertrand, M. and Francis, F.},
  issn         = {0969-9961},
  journal      = {Neurobiology of Disease},
  publisher    = {Elsevier},
  title        = {{Doublecortin mutation leads to persistent defects in the Golgi apparatus and mitochondria in adult hippocampal pyramidal cells}},
  doi          = {10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105702},
  volume       = {168},
  year         = {2022},
}