Enabling Nerve Cell Regeneration

 

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Apc2 localizes to branch points in dendrites. We propose it recruits the machinery to direct microtubule growth to the branch point where it acts. Credit: Melissa Long, Rolls Lab.

Nerve cells are amazing in their ability to regenerate themselves. How they do this is still a mystery. Researchers led by Melissa Rolls recently discovered that motor protein kinesin-2 is critical for this rebuilding. Nerve cells extend two long structures from their cell body: axons (sends signals) and dendrites (receives signals). For efficient nerve cell operations, microtubules (the neuronal highways) must line up in a specific way (polarity) in each part of the cell.

Previously Rolls and her team found that when an axon is removed, microtubules in a dendrite reorient themselves in the axonal direction and enable growth of a new axon. Now by preventing kinesin-2 production in Drosophila, the dendrite microtubules were unable to be rebuilt in the correct polaity. Further understanding of this signal transport control may contribute toward the development of therapeutic treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic neural injury.