When a diffusible axon guidance cue stops diffusing: roles for netrins in adhesion and morphogenesis.
Netrins are a small family of secreted proteins that are best known for their role as secreted long-range chemotropic guidance cues. Extracellular gradients of netrin protein, established by diffusion, are thought to direct cell and axon migration during neural development. In addition to this long-range role, recent findings provide increasing support for short-range functions, in which secreted netrin protein remains closely associated with its cellular source. Emerging evidence for short-range actions of netrins suggests that they contribute to tissue morphogenesis by regulating cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion.
Baker
K Adam
KA
Centre for Neuronal Survival, Montréal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada.
Moore
Simon W
SW
Jarjour
Andrew A
AA
Kennedy
Timothy E
TE
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D004058:Diffusion; D006801:Humans; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors