Title:
Neuronal Polarity:Past and Future

Takashi Namba

Abstract:
Neurons are highly polarized cells that have two structurally and functionally distinct compartments, axons and dendrites Most of our knowledge regarding axon formation is based on the studies using dissociated neurons from rodent brain. Many studies revealed that numerous proteins such as kinases, small GTPases and cytoskeleton and its associating proteins are involved in the establishment of the neuronal polarity and axon formation. In addition to these intracellular molecules, accumulating evidence suggests that extracellular molecules such as neurotrophins and laminin also play important roles in the axon formation. These studies suggest that neuronal polarization is precisely controlled by intrinsic and extrinsic signals. However, how neuronal polarization is regulated in vivo is not fully understood.
We here discuss how extracellular signals regulate neuronal polarization in vivo.

References:
Local application of neurotrophins specifies axons through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, calcium, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases. Nakamuta S, Funahashi Y, Namba T, Arimura N, Picciotto MR, Tokumitsu H, Soderling TR, Sakakibara A, Miyata T, Kamiguchi H, Kaibuchi K. Sci Signal. 2011 Nov 15;4(199):ra76.

The role of selective transport in neuronal polarization. Namba T, Nakamuta S, Funahashi Y, Kaibuchi K. Dev Neurobiol. 2011 Jun;71(6):445-57.

Neuronal polarity: from extracellular signals to intracellular mechanisms. Arimura N, Kaibuchi K.Nat Rev Neurosci. 2007 Mar;8(3):194-205.