Distinct pathways mediate axon degeneration during apoptosis and axon-specific pruning.

ABSTRACT: Neurons can activate pathways that destroy the whole cell via apoptosis or selectively degenerate only the axon (pruning). Both apoptosis and axon degeneration require Bax and caspases. Here we demonstrate that despite this overlap, the pathways mediating axon degeneration during apoptosis versus axon pruning are distinct. While Caspase-6 is activated in axons following nerve growth factor deprivation, microfluidic chamber experiments reveal that Caspase-6 deficiency only protects axons during axon-specific but not whole-cell (apoptotic) nerve growth factor deprivation. Strikingly, axon-selective degeneration requires the apoptotic proteins Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 but, in contrast to apoptosis, not apoptotic protease activating factor-1. Additionally, cell bodies of degenerating axons are

SUBMITTER: Cusack CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4183061 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature