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Related Experiment Videos

Direct evidence that growth cones pull.

P Lamoureux1, R E Buxbaum, S R Heidemann

  • 1Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, E. Lansing 48824-1101.

Nature
|July 13, 1989
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Axonal elongation is driven by cytoskeletal pushing, not growth cone pulling. Direct measurements show neurite force linearly correlates with growth, challenging previous tension-based theories.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • The mechanism of axonal elongation, specifically the role of growth cone motility and tension, has been debated.
  • Previous theories suggested forward motility of the growth cone, driven by contractile filopodia, generated tension for axonal elongation.
  • Contradictory findings, including neurite elongation in the presence of cytochalasin and observations of cytoplasmic extrusion, challenged the tension-based model.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To directly measure neurite force during axonal elongation.
  • To investigate the relationship between growth cone advance and the force exerted by the neurite.
  • To resolve the controversy surrounding the role of tension versus pushing mechanisms in axonal elongation.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Direct measurement of neurite force.
  • Correlation of force measurements with growth cone advance.
  • Observation of neurite behavior under conditions where growth cone advance is inhibited.

    • Main Results:

    • Neurite force was found to be linearly related to growth cone advance.
    • Apparent neurite growth accompanied the measured force increase.
    • No increase in force was observed in neurites where the growth cone failed to advance.

    Conclusions:

    • Axonal elongation is primarily driven by a pushing mechanism, likely involving the cytoskeleton, rather than a pulling mechanism mediated by growth cone tension.
    • The findings support a model where cytoskeletal dynamics propel neurite extension.
    • This study provides direct mechanical evidence challenging the long-held view of growth cone-generated tension as the primary driver of axonal elongation.