Membrane tension propagation couples axon growth and collateral branching.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 36044581.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abo1297 and PMC identifier 9432834.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC.
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Abstract
Neuronal axons must navigate a mechanically heterogeneous environment to reach their targets, but the biophysical mechanisms coupling mechanosensation, growth, and branching are not fully understood. Here, we show that local changes in membrane tension propagate along axons at approximately 20 μm/s, more than 1000-fold faster than in most other nonmotile cells where this property has been measured. Local perturbations to tension decay along the axon with a length constant of approximately 41 μm. This rapid and long-range mechanical signaling mediates bidirectional competition between axonal branch initiation and growth cone extension. Our data suggest a mechanism by which mechanical cues at one part of a growing axon can affect growth dynamics remotely.