Axon guidance: receptor complexes and signaling mechanisms.
The generation of a functional neuronal network requires that axons navigate precisely to their appropriate targets. Molecules that specify guidance decisions have been identified, and the signaling events that occur downstream of guidance receptors are beginning to be understood. New research shows that guidance receptor signaling can be hierarchical -- one receptor silencing the other -- thereby allowing navigating growth cones to interpret opposing guidance cues. Among the known intracellular signaling molecules shared by all guidance receptor families, Rho GTPases appear to be primary regulators of actin dynamics and growth cone guidance. Novel effector molecules complete the picture and suggest additional signaling mechanisms.
Grunwald
Ilona C
IC
Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Am Klopferspitz 18A, 82152, Martinsried, Germany. grunwald@neuro.mpg.de
Klein
Rüdiger
R
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases