Guidance and induction of branch formation in developing axons by target-derived diffusible factors.
Developing axons appear to navigate to their targets partly in response to long-range diffusible chemoattractants secreted by target cells. The past year has seen the identification of the first target-derived attractants for developing axons, the netrins. Target-derived diffusible factors have also been implicated in controlling the elaboration of axon collateral branches, and a recent study provides insight into the mechanism by which this is achieved. Evidence has also suggested neurotrophins and neurotransmitters as candidate branching and chemotropic factors.
Kennedy
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0452, USA.
Tessier-Lavigne
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D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000502:physiology; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D000075388:Netrin-1; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D000075388:Netrin-1