title: Neuronal polarization.
abstract: Neurons are highly polarized cells with structurally and functionally distinct processes called axons and dendrites. This polarization underlies the directional flow of information in the central nervous system, so the establishment and maintenance of neuronal polarization is crucial for correct development and function. Great progress in our understanding of how neurons establish their polarity has been made through the use of cultured hippocampal neurons, while recent technological advances have enabled in vivo analysis of axon specification and elongation. This short review and accompanying poster highlight recent advances in this fascinating field, with an emphasis on the signaling mechanisms underlying axon and dendrite specification in vitro and in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Chundi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Funahashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Namba
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan kaibuchi@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Kozo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaibuchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000502:physiology*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins
keywords: Axon outgrowth; Cellular asymmetry; Dendrite outgrowth; Multipolar to bipolar transition; Neuronal polarity