Role of Lgi2 and Lgi3 in Mouse Nervous System Development

The research topic in this thesis is the Lgi (leucine-rich glioma inactivated) proteins. The Lgi protein family consists of four members: Lgi1, Lgi2, Lgi3 and Lgi4. These are secreted proteins that are highly expressed in mouse nervous system. Lgi1 and Lgi4 are known to be involved in mouse nervous system development and function. Less is known about Lgi2 and Lgi3. Recently, a mutation in the Lgi2 gene has been associated with a specific form of benign epilepsy in a breed of dogs. Lgi3 has been reported to be involved in endocytosis and exocytosis but there is still comparatively little information available about Lgi3. This thesis contains studies that characterise potential roles of Lgi proteins in mouse nervous system development.