Nascent dendrite branches initiated by a localized burst of Spire-dependent actin polymerization

Abstract

Dendrites form arbors whose size, shape and complexity define how neurons cover their receptive territories. Actin dynamics contribute to growth and remodelling of dendrite arbors. Here we examined how Spire, a conserved actin nucleation factor, promotes formation of new branches in vivo. In live imaging of Drosophila class IV dendritic arborisation (c4da) neurons, Spire was observed at new sites of branch initiation, where it assembled new actin polymer prior to filopodial outgrowth. For dendrite arborization, Spire required intact structural domains to nucleate actin and target the secretory network, and Spire interacted with Rab11 GTPase, a key regulator of recycling endosomes. Together, these findings support a model that Spire cooperates with Rab11 to promote new dendrite branches by linking localized actin assembly with intracellular trafficking of endosomes that deliver lipids and cargoes to fuel protrusive outgrowth of nascent dendrites.