Apoptosis Versus Axon Pruning: Molecular Intersection of Two Distinct Pathways for Axon Degeneration

Overview

Journal Neurosci Res

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Neurology

Date 2018 Nov 20

PMID 30452947

Citations 18

Authors

Matthew J Geden

Selena E Romero

Mohanish Deshmukh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Neurons are capable of degenerating their axons for the physiological clearance and refinement of unnecessary connections via the programmed degenerative pathways of apoptosis and axon pruning. While both pathways mediate axon degeneration they are however distinct. Whereas in apoptosis the entire neuron, both axons and cell body, degenerates, in the context of axon pruning only the targeted axon segments are selectively degenerated. Interestingly, the molecular pathways mediating axon degeneration in these two contexts have significant mechanistic overlap but also retain distinct differences. In this review, we describe the peripheral neuronal cell culture models used to study the molecular pathways of apoptosis and pruning. We outline what is known about the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and axon pruning and focus on highlighting the similarities and differences of these two pathways.

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