ADF/Cofilin-Mediated Actin Turnover Promotes Axon Regeneration in the Adult CNS.

ABSTRACT: Injured axons fail to regenerate in the adult CNS, which contrasts with their vigorous growth during embryonic development. We explored the potential of re-initiating axon extension after injury by reactivating the molecular mechanisms that drive morphogenetic transformation of neurons during development. Genetic loss- and gain-of-function experiments followed by time-lapse microscopy, in vivo imaging, and whole-mount analysis show that axon regeneration is fueled by elevated actin turnover. Actin depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin controls actin turnover to sustain axon regeneration after spinal cord injury through its actin-severing activity. This pinpoints ADF/cofilin as a key regulator of axon growth competence, irrespective of developmental stage. These findings reveal the central ro

SUBMITTER: Tedeschi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6763392 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature