Axonal self-destruction and neurodegeneration.
Neurons seem to have at least two self-destruct programs. Like other cell types, they have an intracellular death program for undergoing apoptosis when they are injured, infected, or not needed. In addition, they apparently have a second, molecularly distinct self-destruct program in their axon. This program is activated when the axon is severed and leads to the rapid degeneration of the isolated part of the cut axon. Do neurons also use this second program to prune their axonal tree during development and to conserve resources in response to chronic insults?
Raff
Martin C
MC
MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology and Cell Biology Unit and the Biology Department, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK. m.raff@ucl.ac.uk
Whitmore
Alan V
AV
Finn
John T
JT
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D016472:Motor Neuron Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014855:Wallerian Degeneration / Q000235:genetics