Microtubules are not required to generate a nascent axon in embryonic spinal neurons in vivo
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Our understanding of the cell behaviours and cytoskeletal requirements of axon formation are largely derived from in vitro models but how these relate to axon formation in vivo is not clear. In vitro, neurons progress through a well-defined multi-neurite stage to form an axon and both actin and microtubules cooperate to drive the first steps in neurite and axon morphogenesis. However, these steps are not recapitulated in vivo and it is not clear whether the underlying cell biological mechanisms may differ also. Here we investigate the mechanisms that regulate axon formation in embryonic zebrafish spinal neurons in vivo. We find microtubule organising centres are located distant from the site of axon initiation, and microtubule plus-ends are not enriched in the axon during axon initiation. Focal F-actin accumulation precedes axon formation, and we find nocodazole treated neurons with no detectable microtubules are still able to form nascent axonal protrusions that are approximately 10 µm long, dilated and relatively long-lived. We suggest spinal axon formation in vivo is fundamentally different to axon formation in in vitro models.
SUBMITTER: Prof. Jonathan, DW Clarke
PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_15252-EMBR_202152493 | biostudies-other |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
ACCESS DATA