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Labeling F-actin Barbed Ends with Rhodamine-actin in Permeabilized Neuronal Growth Cones
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FGF-Mediated Axon Guidance: Role of Downstream Signaling Pathways in Cytoskeletal Control
Jiyuan Li1,2, Hanqi Gao1, Fang Liu3
1Queen Mary School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
Cells
|June 11, 2025
Summary
Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) guide developing neurons by remodeling the cytoskeleton. Understanding FGF signaling in axon guidance offers therapeutic potential for neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Axon guidance is crucial for neural circuit formation.
- Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) play a key role in this process.
- FGF signaling regulates dynamic cytoskeletal remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms by which FGF-FGFR interactions regulate axon pathfinding.
- To highlight the interplay between signaling pathways and cytoskeletal plasticity.
- To identify future research directions in FGF-mediated growth cone steering.
Main Methods:
- Integration of structural, molecular, and functional data.
- Analysis of downstream signaling pathways (PI3K-Akt, JAK-STAT, PLCγ, RAS-MAPK).
- Examination of cytoskeletal components (actin, microtubules, intermediate filaments) and regulatory proteins (Rho GTPases, cofilin, profilin, tau).
Main Results:
- FGF signaling activates multiple downstream pathways that control cytoskeletal dynamics.
- These pathways converge on key proteins to regulate actin filament dynamics and microtubule stability.
- This balance of cytoskeletal assembly and disassembly is essential for growth cone navigation.
Conclusions:
- FGF-FGFR signaling is a critical regulator of axon guidance through cytoskeletal plasticity.
- Further research is needed to fully understand FGF-mediated growth cone steering.
- Targeting FGF-driven cytoskeletal dynamics may offer therapeutic strategies for neurological conditions.
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