Mechanobiology of Axon formation

How the mechanical properties of the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) control axon specification and outgrowth is mostly unknown. We show that neurons sense stiffness gradients of the ECM to specify axon formation towards softer substrate. We demonstrate that this effect is mediated through modulation of the neuronal microtubule network, which in turn affects polarized transport. We could mimic this modulation using a novel optogenetic approach, which revealed that local anchoring of the microtubule network is a key step for axon specification.

16-11-2020 15:00 - 15:15