Sci. STKE, 11 December 2007
Vol. 2007, Issue 416, p. pe71
[DOI: 10.1126/stke.4162007pe71]
PERSPECTIVES
Putting on the RITz
Stefanie Kaech1*,
Gary Banker1, and
Phillip Stork2
Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology
1 and Vollum Institute2, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Abstract:
Neurons develop two types of processes, axons and dendrites, whose growth must be independently controlled. Recent research has identified the small guanosine triphosphatase Rit as a differential regulator of neurite growth. Activation of Rit enhances axonal growth, whereas inhibition of Rit promotes dendritic growth. These results imply that the reciprocal regulation of a single molecule in the same cell can achieve simultaneous regulation of axonal and dendritic growth.
*Corresponding author. E-mail, kaechs{at}ohsu.edu
Citation: S. Kaech, G. Banker, P. Stork, Putting on the RITz. Sci. STKE 2007, pe71 (2007).
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