The dance of the growth cones : where to next ?

• Published in: Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 111 - 115
• Main Authors: STIRLING, R. V, DUNLOP, S. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Science 01.02.1995; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Animals; Axons - physiology; Axons - ultrastructure; Biochemistry; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Models. Methods; Humans; Invertebrata; Nervous system; Nervous System - growth & development; Nervous System - ultrastructure; Neurology; Scientific imaging; Vertebrata; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Guidance; Nerve ending; Neuron; Morphology; Development; Axon; Growth cone; Review
• ISSN: 0166-2236; 1878-108X
• DOI: 10.1016/0166-2236(95)93885-2

Axon guidance in the developing nervous system is accomplished by a remarkable structure, the axon growth cone. This structure navigates, often over long distances, to find and synapse with target cells. Transformation of the growth cone to a terminal arbor establishes functional circuitry. The navigational properties of growth cones, and their interactions with target tissue, have been studied widely by examining individual cells in vitro, and have also been inferred from histological sections. Recent advances in labelling techniques and imaging of living cells have enabled direct observation of the growing axon tip in intact embryos as well as in slice preparations. To understand how pathways and terminal arbors are formed, the challenge now is to relate the dynamic morphology and behaviour of living growth cones to surrounding cues in the complex environment of the developing embryo.