Identification of a postnatal period of interdependent neurogenesis and apoptosis in peripheral neurons.

ABSTRACT: During neurogenesis, excessive numbers of neurons are produced in most regions of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Nonessential neurons are eliminated by apoptosis, or programmed cell death. This has been most thoroughly characterized in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) where targets of innervation play a key role in this process. As maturing neurons project axons towards their targets of innervation, they become dependent upon these targets for survival. Survival factors, also called neurotrophic factors, are produced by targets, inhibit apoptosis cascades, and promote further growth and differentiation. Because neurotrophic factors are limited, as is target size, neurons that do not correctly and efficiently innervate targets undergo apoptosis ( Levi-Montalcini, 1987; Davie

SUBMITTER: Kaminski CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11583921 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature