Laminin stimulates and guides axonal outgrowth via growth cone myosin II activity

Nat Neurosci. 2005 Jun;8(6):717-9. doi: 10.1038/nn1466. Epub 2005 May 8.

Abstract

Guidance cues and signal transduction mechanisms acting at the nerve growth cone are fairly well understood, but the intracellular mechanisms operating to change the direction of axon outgrowth remain unknown. We now show that growth cones integrate myosin II-dependent contraction for rapid, coordinated turning at borders of laminin stripes in response to signals from laminin-activated integrin receptors; in the absence of myosin II activity, outgrowth continues across the borders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cues
  • Growth Cones / metabolism*
  • Growth Cones / ultrastructure
  • Integrins / metabolism
  • Internet
  • Laminin / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Myosin Type II / metabolism*
  • Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Nervous System / cytology
  • Nervous System / embryology*
  • Nervous System / metabolism
  • Neurites / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Video Recording

Substances

  • Integrins
  • Laminin
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Myosin Type II