Dynamic microtubule-dependent interactions position homotypic neurones in regular monolayered arrays during retinal development

Abstract

In the vertebrate retina cell layers support serial processing, while monolayered arrays of homotypic neurones tile each layer to allow parallel processing. How neurones form layers and arrays is still largely unknown. We show that monolayered retinal arrays are dynamic structures based on dendritic interactions between the array cells. The analysis of three developing retinal arrays shows that these become regular as a net of dendritic processes links neighbouring array cells. Molecular or pharmacological perturbations of microtubules within dendrites lead to a stereotyped and reversible disruption of array organization: array cells lose their regular spacing and the arrangement in a monolayer. This leads to a micro-mechanical explanation of how monolayers of regularly spaced ‘like-cells’ are formed.