Epidermis-Derived L1CAM Homolog Neuroglian Mediates Dendrite Enclosure and Blocks Heteroneuronal Dendrite Bundling (Current Biology)

Yang et al. find that dendrite growth requires interactions between epidermal Nrg167 and neuronal Nrg180 isoforms of the L1-type cell-adhesion molecule. Nrg167-Nrg180 interactions promote dendrite enclosure inside epidermis and prevent dendrites from bundling. Thus, the dendrite innervation field actively shapes the dendritic pattern.