---

Forum

Mechanisms of Differential Branch Growth Control in the Single Axonal Arbor

Yoshiyuki Konishi^1,2

¹Department of Materials Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui 910-8507, Japan
²Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, 3-9-1 Bunkyo, Fukui 910-8507, Japan
E-mail address: ykonishi@u-fukui.ac.jp

(Received December 24, 2016; Accepted January 5, 2017)

Abstract. Regulation of branched axonal arbor shape is crucial for proper neuronal wiring as well as for nervous system plasticity. Isolated neurons are capable of extending axons and establishing complicated branched axonal morphology even without cell-extrinsic cues. This occurs by differentially regulating the growth of each terminal in an arbor. However, the mechanisms governing this cell-autonomous process are not fully understood. Here, I present recent findings regarding the intracellular mechanisms mediating terminal-dependent control of growth and retraction in the single axonal arbor.

Keywords: Neuron, Axon, Branch, Signaling