title: Neuronal polarization: From spatiotemporal signaling to cytoskeletal dynamics.
abstract: Neuronal polarization establishes distinct molecular structures to generate a single axon and multiple dendrites. Studies over the past years indicate that this efficient separation is brought about by a network of feedback loops. Axonal growth seems to play a major role in fueling those feedback loops and thereby stabilizing neuronal polarity. Indeed, various effectors involved in feedback loops are pivotal for axonal growth by ultimately acting on the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton. These effectors have key roles in interconnecting actin and microtubule dynamics - a mechanism crucial to commanding the growth of axons. We propose a model connecting signaling with cytoskeletal dynamics and neurite growth to better describe the underlying processes involved in neuronal polarization. We will discuss the current views on feedback loops and highlight the current limits of our understanding.
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: max.schelski@dzne.de.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schelski
authors.affiliation: German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 27, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bradke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism*; D003712:Dendrites / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Axonal growth; Cytoskeleton; Feedback loops; Neuronal polarity; Signaling