Putting on the RITz.
Neurons develop two types of processes, axons and dendrites, whose growth must be independently controlled. Recent research has identified the small guanosine triphosphatase Rit as a differential regulator of neurite growth. Activation of Rit enhances axonal growth, whereas inhibition of Rit promotes dendritic growth. These results imply that the reciprocal regulation of a single molecule in the same cell can achieve simultaneous regulation of axonal and dendritic growth.
Kaech
Stefanie
S
Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. kaechs@ohsu.edu
Banker
Gary
G
Stork
Phillip
P
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D003712:Dendrites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D051381:Rats; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
C525821:Bmp7 protein, rat; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D018631:ras Proteins