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Sci. Signal., 5 May 2009
Vol. 2, Issue 69, p. pe30
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.269pe30]

PERSPECTIVES

Fragile Axons Forge the Path to Gene Discovery: A MAP Kinase Pathway Regulates Axon Regeneration

Georgeann S. O’Brien and Alvaro Sagasti*

Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.

Abstract: The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a promising model for studying the molecular control of axon regeneration. A forward genetic screen identified the DLK-1 (dual leucine zipper-bearing kinase 1) MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase pathway as a positive regulator of growth cone formation during axon regeneration. Although DLK-1 pathway mutant animals display a dramatic defect in regeneration, their axons have no apparent defects in initial outgrowth. The DLK-1 pathway also plays a role in synaptogenesis, but this role appears to be separate from its function in regeneration. Understanding how the DLK-1 pathway acts in development, plasticity, and regeneration may shed light on the evolution of mechanisms regulating axon regeneration.

* Corresponding author. E-mail, sagasti{at}mcdb.ucla.edu

Citation: G. S. O’Brien, A. Sagasti, Fragile Axons Forge the Path to Gene Discovery: A MAP Kinase Pathway Regulates Axon Regeneration. Sci. Signal. 2, pe30 (2009).

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