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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

In Situ Visualization of Axon Growth and Growth Cone Dynamics in Acute Ex Vivo Embryonic Brain Slice Cultures
Published on: October 14, 2021
[Advancement of cytoskeleton and axon outgrowth of neuron]
Daxiong Feng1, Jianping Kang, Jun Li
1Department of Spinal Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou Sichuan 646000, P R China. fdxlz2002@163.com
Objective:
To summarize the advancement of cytoskeleton and axon outgrowth of neuron.
Methods:
The recent literature concerning cytoskeleton and axon outgrowth of neuron was reviewed and summarized.
Results:
The actin filaments and microtubules in neuron were highly polarized and dynamic structures confined to the tips of axons and the reciprocal interactions between these two major cytoskeletal polymers was also dynamic. Attractive or a repulsive cue whose final common path of action was the growth cone cytoskeleton mediated the growth of axons of neuron by intracellular signaling cascades. Regulating the actin filament and microtubule dynamics as well as their interactions in growth cones played a key role in neurite outgrowth and axon guidance. Rho-GTPases and glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta), the two major intracellular signaling pathways had emerged in recent years as candidates for regulating the dynamics of actin filaments and microtubules.
Conclusion:
The axon outgrowth and guidance depend on well-coordinated cytoskeletal and reciprocal interaction dynamics which also mediate axon regeneration after spinal cord injury. Regulating activity of Rho-GTPases and GSK-3beta simultaneously may acts as key role to regulate the dynamics of cytoskeletal and to determine axon outgrowth.
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