Roles of cytoskeleton-associated genes in radial migration and ASD during mouse neocortex development

In mammals, the neocortex consists of six distinct neuronal layers, each with specialized morphology and functions. Neuronal migration plays a pivotal role in the development of functional neural circuits. The migrating neurons primarily include excitatory and inhibitory types, with most excitatory neurons migrating radially to their target cortical regions. This migration process is tightly regulated by a variety of signaling molecules both intracellularly and extracellularly. Disruptions at any stage can result in abnormal migration, often leading to neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia and epilepsy. This review provides an overview of the regulation of microfilaments (actin filaments) and microtubules during the radial migration of excitatory neurons, highlighting the role of cytoskeleton-associated genes in shaping neuronal morphology and migratory ability. Additionally, the involvement of ASD-associated risk genes in radial migration is discussed.