Mechanisms of Differential Branch Growth Control in the Single Axonal Arbor

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.