Axon guidance
Axon Guidance (pronunciation: /ˈæksɒn ˈɡaɪdəns/)
Axon guidance, also known as axon pathfinding, is a subfield of neuroscience that studies the processes and mechanisms through which neurons send out axons to reach their correct targets. Axons, the long threadlike part of a nerve cell along which impulses are conducted from the cell body to other cells, are guided by a variety of guidance cues to form a complete neural circuit.
Etymology
The term "axon" comes from the Greek word 'ἄξων' (áxōn), which means 'axis'. The term "guidance" comes from the Old French 'guider', meaning 'to guide or lead'.
Mechanisms of Axon Guidance
Axon guidance is primarily controlled by four types of guidance cues: attractive, repulsive, adhesive, and de-adhesive. These cues can be either diffusible or bound to the cell surface or extracellular matrix.
Attractive Cues
Attractive cues attract the growth cone, the specialized end of a growing axon, towards them. Examples of attractive cues include Netrin and BDNF.
Repulsive Cues
Repulsive cues repel the growth cone away from them. Examples of repulsive cues include Slit and Semaphorin.
Adhesive Cues
Adhesive cues promote adhesion of the growth cone to the substrate, facilitating axon growth. Examples of adhesive cues include N-Cadherin and NCAM.
De-adhesive Cues
De-adhesive cues prevent adhesion of the growth cone to the substrate, inhibiting axon growth. An example of a de-adhesive cue is Ephrin.
Related Terms
See Also
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