Neurons are characterized by a complex, dynamic and highly polarized morphology. Actin and its regulatory proteins are the most abundant set of proteins within cells, and they form one of the major cytoskeletal systems—the actin filament cytoskeleton. While much has been learned about the roles of the actin cytoskeleton in non-neuronal cells, our understanding of the full spectrum of the functions of actin in neurons is far from complete. This book is an introduction to the interface between the actin cytoskeleton and the myriad of issues fundamental to the understanding of nervous system function. <EM>Neurobiology of Actin: From Neurulation to Synaptic Function opens with a chapter that presents the fundamental concepts required to appreciate the details of the molecular machinery that regulates actin in a cellular context, setting the stage for the first part of the book which reviews the neurobiology of actin at the cellular level. The second section of the book then discusses the functions of actin in the context of neurobiological issues ranging from early development to synaptic function and disease states of the nervous system. This text is intended for neuroscientists interested in investigating the actin cytoskeleton in the context of their particular neuroscience research program, and its chapters are cross-referenced in order to assist readers in finding relevant information that is covered in greater depth in other chapters.
Advances in Neurobiology Volume 5
Series Editor Arne Schousboe
For further volumes: http://www.springer.com/series/8787
Gianluca Gallo · Lorene M. Lanier Editors
Neurobiology of Actin From Neurulation to Synaptic Function
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Editors Gianluca Gallo Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy Drexel University College of Medicine 2900 Queen Lane Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
[email protected]
Lorene M. Lanier Department of Neuroscience University of Minnesota 321 Church St. Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
[email protected]
ISSN 2190-5215 e-ISSN 2190-5223 ISBN 978-1-4419-7367-2 e-ISBN 978-1-4419-7368-9 DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-7368-9 Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London Library of Congress Control Number: 2010938621 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
Contents
1 Introduction to the Neurobiology of Actin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gianluca Gallo
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2 The Neuronal Actin Cytoskeleton and the Protrusion of Lamellipodia and Filopodia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gianluca Gallo
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3 Regulation of Actin Filaments During Neurite Extension and Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Letourneau
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4 Functions of Myosin Motor Proteins in the Nerv