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Published on: March 9, 2010
Adhesion and signaling in axonal fasciculation
1Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. davie_vanvactor@hms.harvard.edu
Current Opinion in Neurobiology
|May 6, 1998
Summary
Selective fasciculation guides neural development and axonal projections. Genetic studies reveal adhesion mechanisms control this process, with potential roles for tyrosine phosphorylation signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Neural development relies on precise axonal projections.
- Selective fasciculation is a key mechanism for guiding axons.
- Existing models highlight the importance of cell adhesion in this process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic control of axonal fasciculation and defasciculation.
- To determine the relationship between adhesion and guidance mechanisms in neural development.
- To explore the role of intracellular signaling, specifically tyrosine phosphorylation, in fasciculation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays to study cellular interactions.
- In vivo perturbation studies to analyze genetic influences.
- Genetic analysis to identify key regulatory pathways.
Main Results:
- Axonal fasciculation and defasciculation are regulated by adhesion mechanisms.
- Adhesion and guidance are often separable phenomena in neural development.
- Receptors controlling tyrosine phosphorylation levels appear crucial for fasciculation.
Conclusions:
- Adhesion mechanisms are central to controlling axonal fasciculation.
- Neural development involves separable adhesion and guidance processes.
- Intracellular signaling pathways, including tyrosine phosphorylation, are integral to fasciculation.
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