Cited by 658Axon Guidance and Neuronal SignalingNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchProtein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling

Actin Cytoskeleton Regulation in Neuronal Morphogenesis and Structural Plasticity

Luo, Liqun·2002·Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology

Abstract

▪ Abstract The actin cytoskeleton plays a major role in morphological development of neurons and in structural changes of adult neurons. This article reviews the myriad functions of actin and myosin in axon initiation, growth, guidance and branching, in morphogenesis of dendrites and dendritic spines, in synapse formation and stability, and in axon and dendrite retraction. Evidence is presented that signaling pathways involving the Rho family of small GTPases are key regulators of actin polymerization and myosin function in the context of different aspects of neuronal morphogenesis. These studies support an emerging theme: Different aspects of neuronal morphogenesis may involve regulation of common core signaling pathways, in particular the Rho GTPases.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev.cellbio.18.031802.150501

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  • The actin cytoskeleton plays a key role in shaping dendritic spines and is critically important for numerous processes that contribute to the plasticity of synaptic function.

    “The actin cytoskeleton plays a key role in shaping dendritic spines and is critically important for numerous processes that contribute to the plasticity of synaptic function (Matus, 2000; Hering and Sheng, 2001; Luo, 2002; Ethell and Pasquale, 2005; Hotulainen and Hoogenraad, 2010).”
  • Actin cytoskeletal dynamics have a key role in the establishment and maintenance of dendritic arborizations and spines, and are critical for structural alterations in spine shape important for cellular forms of synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation and long-term depression.

    “Actin cytoskeletal dynamics have a key role in the establishment and maintenance of both dendritic arborizations and spines, and are also critical for the structural alterations in spine shape important for cellular forms of synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation and long-term depression.20, 21, 22, 23”
  • Rho small GTPases (particularly RhoA, Rac1, Cdc42) are regulators of the actin cytoskeleton that have a profound influence on spine morphogenesis.

    “The Rho small GTPases (particularly RhoA, Rac1, Cdc42) are regulators of the actin cytoskeleton that have a profound influence on spine morphogenesis (Luo, 2002; Newey et al., 2005).”
  • The observed changes in pathways related to cytoskeletal regulation and axon guidance in the trigeminal ganglion could potentially explain the observed changes in infraorbital nerve structure, as both are essential for structural plasticity.

    “In this regard, the observed changes in pathways related to cytoskeletal regulation and axon guidance in the trigeminal ganglion could potentially explain the observed changes in infraorbital nerve structure, as both are essential for structural plasticity33,34.”

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Authors
Luo, L.
Affiliations
Stanford University (US)
Corresponding author
Luo, Liqun
Venue
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
Published
2002-11
Volume
18
Issue
1
Pages
601-635
ISSN
  • 1081-0706 (ISSN-L)
  • 1530-8995
OpenAlex
W2148013477
Cited by
658
References
151
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 30
FWCI
3.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
Keywords
actin cytoskeleton, neuronal morphogenesis, structural plasticity, axon guidance, dendrite formation, dendritic spines, synaptogenesis, axon retraction, dendrite retraction, myosin, Rho GTPases, actin polymerization, signaling pathways
MeSH terms
Actins, Animals, Cell Differentiation, Cytoskeleton, Dendrites, Humans, Nervous System, Neuronal Plasticity, Synapses, Growth Cones, rho GTP-Binding Proteins

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