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Highlights

Expression of a Dominant Negative Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor in Developing Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons Disrupts Axon Outgrowth and Targeting to the Median Eminence

John C. Gill and Pei-San Tsai. Biol Reprod 2006; 74:463–472. Published online ahead of print 9 November 2005; 10.1095/biolreprod.105.046904

Axon targeting During development, GnRH neurons must first migrate into the forebrain then extend axonal processes to the median eminence before reproductive neuroendocrine function can commence. Gill and Tsai have studied the latter part of this developmental program. Using a transgenic mouse model in which a dominant-negative form of the FGF receptor is genetically targeted to GnRH neurons, they demonstrate reduced GnRH neuron targeting in vivo. To understand the mechanisms for this, they generated cultures of embryonic GnRH neurons at the time of axon targeting. In cultures from transgenic mice, basal neurite outgrowth, neurite outgrowth in response to FGF, and signaling via FGF receptors were all compromised. Further, GnRH neurons expressing the dominant-negative FGF receptor exhibited a reduced ability to target towards a median eminence co-culture. Together these data provide compelling evidence for a role of FGFs in the targeting of GnRH axons in vivo and further suggest this effect is at least in part directly on the GnRH neuron itself.

Seeing double

The Highlights usually focus on exciting new advances in the field of reproductive biology. However, the recent turmoil in our field over duplicated and manipulated images deserves comment. Dual publication of data, of course, flies in the face of internationally accepted standards for scientific publication (see Ethical Guidelines for Publication in Biology of Reproduction). BOR is not immune to such problems, any more than is any other journal. Fortunately, the sharp eyes of rigorous reviewers catch most of such cases, but recent events indicate a need for all of us to evaluate our own scientific "housekeeping" practices. Detailed, dated, and fully annotated image files are essential; various proprietary and freeware programs are available to facilitate this. Moreover, inappropriate image manipulation can be an innocent outcome when the unwary deal with professional software. With respect to the latter problem, we refer you to a helpful and eye-opening commentary by Michael Rossner, Managing Editor of Journal of Cell Biology (2004 J Cell Biol 166:11–15).

Mitch Eddy, John Eppig, Mary Ann Handel, and Sue Moenter

Related articles in Biol Reprod:

Expression of a Dominant Negative FGF Receptor in Developing GNRH1 Neurons Disrupts Axon Outgrowth and Targeting to the Median Eminence

John C. Gill and Pei-San Tsai
Biol Reprod 2006 74: 463-472. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in Biol Reprod Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Eddy, M. Articles by Moenter, S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Eddy, M. Articles by Moenter, S. Agricola Articles by Eddy, M. Articles by Moenter, S.