QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, October 18, 2006, 26(42):10626-10630; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3824-06.2006

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (18) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Yoshimura, T. Articles by Kaibuchi, K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Yoshimura, T. Articles by Kaibuchi, K.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Mini-Review
Signaling Networks in Neuronal Polarization

Takeshi Yoshimura,^1,2 Nariko Arimura,² and Kozo Kaibuchi²

¹Department of Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Science, Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Aichi 464-8602, Japan, and ²Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Aichi 466-8550, Japan

Correspondence should be addressed to Kozo Kaibuchi, Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan. Email: kaibuchi{at}med.nagoya-u.ac.jp

A mature neuron is typically polarized both structurally and functionally, with a single long axon and several dendrites. Neuronal polarity is essential for unidirectional signal flow from somata or dendrites to axons. The initial event in establishing a polarized neuron is the specification of a single axon. Early in neuronal development, one immature neurite becomes differentiated from other neurites to form an axon. Although studies in the past two decades have yielded a catalog of structural, molecular, and functional differences between axons and dendrites, we are only now beginning to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the establishment of neuronal polarity.

In the last few years, neuronal polarity-regulating molecules have been revealed. There are two major signaling cascades in neuronal polarization. Several groups, including ours, reported that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3)/collapsin response mediator protein-2 pathway is important for axon specification and elongation. Recent studies have revealed that the positive feedback loop composed of Rho family small GTPases and the Par3/Par6/atypical protein kinase C complex plays a role in the initial events of neuronal polarization downstream of PI3-kinase. Here, we discuss the roles of signaling molecules for axon specification.

Key words: axon; neuronal polarity; PI3-kinase; GSK-3; CRMP-2; Par complex

---

Received Sept. 2, 2006; revised Sept. 19, 2006; accepted Sept. 19, 2006.

Correspondence should be addressed to Kozo Kaibuchi, Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan. Email: kaibuchi{at}med.nagoya-u.ac.jp

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. E. Cosker, S. Shadan, M. van Diepen, C. Morgan, M. Li, V. Allen-Baume, C. Hobbs, P. Doherty, S. Cockcroft, and B. J. Eickholt Regulation of PI3K signalling by the phosphatidylinositol transfer protein PITP{alpha} during axonal extension in hippocampal neurons J. Cell Sci., March 15, 2008; 121(6): 796 - 803. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Piper, A. Dwivedy, L. Leung, R. S. Bradley, and C. E. Holt NF-Protocadherin and TAF1 Regulate Retinal Axon Initiation and Elongation In Vivo J. Neurosci., January 2, 2008; 28(1): 100 - 105. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Petratos, Q.-X. Li, A. J. George, X. Hou, M. L. Kerr, S. E. Unabia, I. Hatzinisiriou, D. Maksel, M.-I. Aguilar, and D. H. Small The -amyloid protein of Alzheimer's disease increases neuronal CRMP-2 phosphorylation by a Rho-GTP mechanism Brain, January 1, 2008; 131(1): 90 - 108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Kaech, G. Banker, and P. Stork Putting on the RITz Sci. Signal., December 11, 2007; 2007(416): pe71 - pe71. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. P. S. Vohra, M. Fu, and R. O. Heuckeroth Protein Kinase C{zeta} and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3{beta} Control Neuronal Polarity in Developing Rodent Enteric Neurons, whereas SMAD Specific E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase 1 Promotes Neurite Growth But Does Not Influence Polarity J. Neurosci., August 29, 2007; 27(35): 9458 - 9468. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help