Microtubule remodelling as a driving force of axon guidance and pruning

The establishment of neuronal connectivity relies on the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton, which provides mechanical support, roads for axonal transport and mediates signalling events. Fine-tuned spatiotemporal regulation of MT functions by tubulin post-translational modifications and MT-associated pro...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Seminars in cell & developmental biology 2023-05, Vol.140, p.35-53
Main Authors: Atkins, Melody, Nicol, Xavier, Fassier, Coralie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Axon Guidance
Axon pruning
Axons - metabolism
Development Biology
Life Sciences
Microtubule-associated proteins
Microtubule-Associated Proteins - metabolism
Microtubules
Microtubules - metabolism
Neurobiology
Neurons and Cognition
Tubulin - metabolism
Tubulin isotypes
Tubulin posttranslational modifications
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The establishment of neuronal connectivity relies on the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton, which provides mechanical support, roads for axonal transport and mediates signalling events. Fine-tuned spatiotemporal regulation of MT functions by tubulin post-translational modifications and MT-associated proteins is critical for the coarse wiring and subsequent refinement of neuronal connectivity. The defective regulation of these processes causes a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with connectivity defects. This review focuses on recent studies unravelling how MT composition, post-translational modifications and associated proteins influence MT functions in axon guidance and/or pruning to build functional neuronal circuits. We here summarise experimental evidence supporting the key role of this network as a driving force for growth cone steering and branch-specific axon elimination. We further provide a global overview of the MT-interactors that tune developing axon behaviours, with a special emphasis on their emerging versatility in the regulation of MT dynamics/structure. Recent studies establishing the key and highly selective role of the tubulin code in the regulation of MT functions in axon pathfinding are also reported. Finally, our review highlights the emerging molecular links between these MT regulation processes and guidance signals that wire the nervous system.
ISSN:1084-9521
1096-3634
DOI:10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.05.030