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Molecular mechanisms regulating axon responsiveness at the midline
Madhavi Gorla1, Greg J Bashaw1
1Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
Developmental Biology
|August 21, 2020
Summary
Proper axon guidance at the embryonic midline is crucial for neural circuit formation and preventing neurodevelopmental disorders. This review highlights mechanisms of midline crossing, focusing on how axons change responsiveness to guidance cues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Correct midline crossing of axons is essential for forming functional neural circuits in bilaterally symmetric organisms.
- Aberrant neural circuit development can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder.
- Understanding molecular mechanisms of axon guidance at the midline is key to addressing neurological disorder pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss axon guidance mechanisms regulating midline crossing.
- To highlight recent advances in understanding how commissural axons switch responsiveness to guidance cues.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on axon guidance at the midline.
- Focus on studies in Drosophila ventral nerve cord and mouse embryonic spinal cord.
Main Results:
- Midline crossing involves complex signaling mechanisms.
- Axons dynamically switch responsiveness from attractants to repellents at the midline.
Conclusions:
- Insights into midline crossing axon guidance mechanisms can illuminate neurodevelopmental disorder pathology.
- Further research into the dynamic switching of axon responsiveness is critical.
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