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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
10:29
Morphological and Functional Evaluation of Axons and their Synapses during Axon Death in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: March 16, 2020
Guidance molecules in axon pruning and cell death.
Pierre Vanderhaeghen1, Hwai-Jong Cheng
1Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium. pierre.vanderhaeghen@ulb.ac.be
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology
|June 3, 2010
Summary
Axon guidance molecules, like semaphorins, control both programmed cell death and axon pruning during brain development. This review explores their roles in neural development and disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Axon pruning and neuronal cell death are critical for mature brain architecture.
- These processes were traditionally considered to have distinct cellular mechanisms.
- Emerging evidence implicates axon guidance molecules in both events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of axon guidance cues in regulating regressive events during neural development.
- To discuss the involvement of semaphorins, netrins, and ephrins in apoptosis and axon pruning.
- To explore the implications for neural diseases and degeneration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on axon guidance molecules in neural development.
- Analysis of paradigmatic models of brain development.
- Synthesis of findings on apoptosis, neuronal survival, and axon pruning.
Main Results:
- Axon guidance molecules directly regulate programmed cell death of neural progenitors.
- These cues also control neuronal survival and the pruning of axonal branches.
- Semaphorins, netrins, and ephrins are key regulators of these developmental processes.
Conclusions:
- Axon guidance molecules play a dual role in both neuronal cell death and axon pruning.
- Understanding these roles offers insights into neural development and diseases.
- Potential links between axon pruning defects and neurodegeneration are highlighted.
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