Wnt Signaling in Neurite Development

SILVANA B. ROSSO; PATRICIA C. SALINAS

Intracellular Mechanisms in Neuritogenesis.

Springer Press

Lugar: Milano Italy; Año: 2006; p. 222 - 238

The highly complex organization and computational capacity of the nervous system is essential for its function. This complexity is achieved during early development by the intrinsic property of each neuronal cell type and the influence of extracellular cues. The polarized morphology of neurons with elaborate dendritic arbors and long thin axons is critical for brain function. Neurite development is established after neurons extend multiple processes that soon become polarized when one or two processes differentiate into axons and the rest into dendrites. Both axons and dendrites extend and branch in search for their appropriate synaptic targets. Members of the Wnt family of proteins are well-known embryonic morphogens that regulate cell fate decisions during early embryonic patterning. However, new studies show that Wnts also regulate different stages of neurite development from axon outgrowth, pathfinding to axon branching and remodeling. Wnts also modulate the formation of complex dendritic arborization thus increasing the ability of neurons to receive multiple inputs. Finally, Wnts can function as target release molecules that modulate presynaptic axon remodeling and synaptic assembly. Here we discuss advances that shed new light into the function of Wnt signaling in neurite development with particular emphasis on the formation of the vertebrate nervous system.