Articles tagged with Growth Cones
A study by Harvard Medical School researchers suggests that axon growth cones can make decisions locally and function semi-autonomously without the cell body. This challenges traditional dogma about neurons, proposing a more intricate web of decision-making and the existence of semi-independent units.
A team of Japanese and American scientists have identified shootin1 as a key molecule in axon guidance, converting chemical cues into mechanical force. The study found that even slight concentration gradients in nectin-1 induce significant changes in shootin1 phosphorylation, guiding the axon with remarkable sensitivity.
Two new studies describe the function of PrPC, the physiological form of the prion protein. The protein promotes neurite growth and guides nerve impulses through homophilic interactions with neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM).
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute discovered myosin-Va's role in directing neuron growth. The protein complex acts as a calcium sensor that tells new axon pieces where to go.
Researchers studied the eye development of Sunburst Diving Beetle larvae, revealing rapid eye growth and transformation between stages. The findings suggest a pre-determined eye growth mechanism, but also allow for adjustments at the level of the lens, which reforms over eight hours.
Researchers used imaging and computation to unravel a complex neural mystery, discovering three simple rules that govern the visual system of the humble fruit fly. The findings have implications for understanding human brain development and could lead to new approaches to decoding complex biological systems.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that Wnt proteins stimulate planar cell polarity signaling in growth cones, guiding nerves to their proper targets. This finding provides critical understanding of brain wiring mechanisms and may pave the way for nervous system repair and regeneration.
Researchers aim to understand how neurons navigate to form synapses, a process guided by molecular cues within growth cones. The development of sensitive probes could provide vital information on nervous system development and repair.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a key signal guiding motor neuron navigation, Magellan, which helps them reach their target destinations. The mutation affects the structure of growing neurons, causing them to lose direction and form abnormal 'kinks' or coils.
Novel study sheds light on the mechanism of nerve cell growth by identifying a key role for myosin II protein in recycling actin networks. The findings suggest that efficient recycling is necessary to prevent actin buildup, allowing nerve cells to advance.
Researchers find that a single chemical cue can either attract or repel neurons depending on the growth cone's internal status, providing potential clues for regenerating nerves and understanding disorders of neuronal migration
Researchers studying sea lamprey nerve regeneration found that fibers grow in the correct direction and create synapses with target cells, restoring function. The discovery led to hypotheses about a new mechanism of neurofilament transport pushing forward growth cones.