The tibial-1 pioneer pathway: an in vivo model for neuronal outgrowth and guidance.
As neurons extend axons to their targets during development, growth cones must reorient their direction of migration in response to extracellular guidance cues. A variety of model systems have been employed in order to dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie this complex process. One preparation, the developing grasshopper limb bud, has proved to offer a number of advantages in which to examine mechanisms of growth cone guidance and motility in vivo. First, the relatively large size of the embryonic nervous system allows for straightforward imaging of both fixed and live neurons in vivo. Second, the peripheral nerves generated in the limb bud are highly stereotyped. Third, intact embryos can be cultured for a period of days, allowing for fairly easy perturbations at precise developmental stages. Fourth, due to the ease of dissection, numerous cell biological and molecular techniques can be utilized in the limb bud. Finally, axon guidance molecules and mechanisms are conserved between grasshoppers and other organism, including vertebrates.
Bonner
Jennifer
J
Program in Neuroscience, Department of Anatomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
Gerrow
Kimberly A
KA
O'Connor
Timothy P
TP
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D006110:Grasshoppers / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018878:Limb Buds / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D023421:Models, Animal; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors