Table 4.

Overexpression of DCX does not detectably affect axonal branching or the abundance of focal accumulations

	Branches per 100 μm	Focal accumulations per 100 μm	Total axon length (μm)
GFP expressers (n = 92)	0.42 ± 0.05	0.57 ± 0.06	322 ± 15
DCX expressers
Low (n = 61)	0.32 ± 0.05	0.66 ± 0.07	280 ± 16
High (n = 90)	0.40 ± 0.05	0.70 ± 0.05	290 ± 12

Dissociated neurons were transfected with plasmids for GFP or GFP–DCX, cultured for 3 d, and then fixed and stained for GFP, actin, and tubulin. Images were obtained from each cell that was well isolated from its neighbors. The tubulin images were used to quantify the length of the axon, including all of its branches, and the actin images were used to quantify focal accumulations. For the latter, we only counted those with obvious lamellipodia. Data shown are means ± SEs. DCX expression was evaluated by visual inspection; low expressers exhibited little to no GFP staining, whereas high expressers exhibited obvious staining for GFP that filled the cell body and the entire axon. Data were compared statistically using Student's t test, and in all cases p > 0.06.