Abstract
Neurons are polarized cells with an axon and a dendritic arbor extending from the soma. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying axon guidance are rapidly being elucidated, those that regulate the orientation, morphology, and elaboration of dendritic processes are largely unknown. Several recent papers address these issues, and propose a set of molecular strategies that control dendrite development. This review discusses these papers and what they reveal to us about how cell signaling orchestrates neuronal form and connectivity during development.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / physiology
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Cell Polarity
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Cell Size
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Chemotactic Factors / physiology
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Dendrites / physiology*
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Genes, Reporter
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Glycoproteins / physiology
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Guanylate Cyclase / physiology
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Humans
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Membrane Proteins / physiology
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Mice, Transgenic
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Models, Neurological
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Morphogenesis
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Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
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Pyramidal Cells / ultrastructure*
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Rats
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Receptor, trkB / physiology
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Receptors, Notch
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Semaphorin-3A
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Signal Transduction
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Xenopus laevis
Substances
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Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
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Chemotactic Factors
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Glycoproteins
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Membrane Proteins
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Nerve Tissue Proteins
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Receptors, Notch
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Semaphorin-3A
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Receptor, trkB
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Guanylate Cyclase