DAB1

The Disabled-1 (Dab1) gene encodes a key regulator of is_associated_with::Reelin signaling. Reelin is a large is_associated_with::glycoprotein secreted by neurons of the developing brain, particularly is_associated_with::Cajal-Retzius cells. DAB1 functions downstream of Reln in a is_associated_with::signaling pathway that controls cell positioning in the developing brain and during adult is_associated_with::neurogenesis. It docks to the intracellular part of the Reelin is_associated_with::very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and apoE receptor type 2 (is_associated_with::ApoER2) and becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated following binding of Reelin to cortical neurons. In mice, is_associated_with::mutations of Dab1 and Reelin generate identical is_associated_with::phenotypes. In humans, Reelin mutations are associated with brain malformations and is_associated_with::mental retardation. In mice, Dab1 mutation results in the scrambler mouse phenotype.

With a genomic length of 1.1 Mbp for a coding region of 5.5 kb, DAB1 provides a rare example of genomic complexity, which will impede the identification of human mutations.

Gene function
Cortical neurons form in specialized proliferative regions deep in the brain and migrate past previously formed neurons to reach their proper layer. The laminar organization of multiple neuronal types in the is_associated_with::cerebral cortex is required for normal is_associated_with::cognitive function. The mouse 'is_associated_with::reeler' mutation causes abnormal patterns of cortical neuronal migration as well as additional defects in cerebellar development and neuronal positioning in other brain regions. Reelin (RELN; 600514), the reeler gene product, is an extracellular protein secreted by is_associated_with::pioneer neurons. The mouse 'scrambler' and 'is_associated_with::yotari' recessive mutations exhibit a phenotype identical to that of reeler. Ware et al. (1997) determined that the scrambler phenotype arises from mutations in Dab1, a mouse gene related to the Drosophila gene 'disabled' (dab). Disabled-1 (Dab1) is an adaptor protein that is essential for the intracellular transduction of Reelin signaling, which regulates the migration and differentiation of postmitotic neurons during brain development in vertebrates. Dab1 function depends on its tyrosine phosphorylation by Src family kinases, especially Fyn. Dab encodes a is_associated_with::phosphoprotein that binds nonreceptor is_associated_with::tyrosine kinases and that has been implicated in neuronal development in flies. Sheldon et al. (1997) found that the yotari phenotype also results from a mutation in the Dab1 gene. Using is_associated_with::in situ hybridization to embryonic day-13.5 mouse brain tissue, they demonstrated that Dab1 is expressed in neuronal populations exposed to reelin. The authors concluded that reelin and Dab1 function as is_associated_with::signaling molecules that regulate cell positioning in the developing brain. Howell et al. (1997) showed that targeted disruption of the Dab1 gene disturbed neuronal layering in the is_associated_with::cerebral cortex, is_associated_with::hippocampus, and is_associated_with::cerebellum, causing a reeler-like phenotype.

Layering of neurons in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum requires RELN and DAB1. By targeted disruption experiments in mice, Trommsdorff et al. (1999) showed that 2 cell surface receptors, very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR; 192977) and is_associated_with::apolipoprotein E receptor-2 (is_associated_with::ApoER2; 602600), are also required. Both receptors bound Dab1 on their cytoplasmic tails and were expressed in cortical and cerebellar layers adjacent to layers expressing Reln. Dab1 expression was upregulated in knockout mice lacking both the Vldlr and Apoer2 genes. Inversion of cortical layers, absence of cerebellar foliation, and the migration of is_associated_with::Purkinje cells in these animals precisely mimicked the phenotype of mice lacking Reln or Dab1. These findings established novel signaling functions for the is_associated_with::LDL receptor gene family and suggested that VLDLR and APOER2 participate in transmitting the extracellular RELN signal to intracellular signaling processes initiated by DAB1.

In the reeler mouse, the telencephalic neurons (which are misplaced following migration) express approximately 10-fold more DAB1 than their wildtype counterpart. Such an increase in the expression of a protein that virtually functions as a receptor is expected to occur when the specific signal for the receptor is missing.

Gene variants and associated phenotypes in humans
In a study by is_associated_with::Dr. Scott Williamson of is_associated_with::Cornell University, A newer version of the DAB1 gene had been shown to be universal among those of Chinese ancestry, but not found among other global populations. Being related to organizing the cells of the areas in the brain associated with cognitive function, it is speculated that the DAB1 mutation in the Chinese may be a parallel genetic evolutionary route to possibly accomplish an equivalent adaptation to other brain gene adaptations found in other world populations (such as the ASPM gene variant) but not in the Chinese.