Research discovers growth cone aids neuronal migration and brain regeneration post-injury
A research group led by Kazunobu Sawamoto, Professor at Nagoya City University and National Institute for Physiological Sciences, along with Chikako Nakajima and Masato Sawada, have discovered that the PTPσ-expressing growth cone detects the extracellular matrix, facilitating neuronal migration in the injured brain and promoting functional recovery.
Postnatal mammalian brains contain neural stem cells that generate new neurons. These neurons migrate towards injured areas, and enhancing this migration aids functional recovery after brain injury. However, inhibitory effects on migration at injury sites need clarification to improve neuron recruitment and enhance recovery. Migrating neurons exhibit axonal growth cone-like structures at their tips, yet their role in migration remains partially understood.
The group examined the role of the growth cone-like structure in migrating mouse brain neurons. Using super-resolution microscopy, they studied its cytoskeletal dynamics and molecular features, revealing its similarity to axonal growth cones. Specifically, the growth cone responds to external signals via tyrosine phosphatase receptor type sigma (PTPσ), guiding migration directionality and initiating cell body movement. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) interaction with PTPσ causes growth cone collapse, inhibiting migration, while heparan sulfate (HS) interaction restores its extended morphology, enabling migration.
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