Molecular Basis of Axon Growth and Nerve Pattern Formation: (20 Taniguchi Symposia on Brain Sciences)

Since the last Taniguchi Symposium on Brain Science dealt with the subject of developmental neurobiology in 1982 and again in 1985, the field has greatly advanced in several respects. Twelve years ago, our knowledge on the segmentation or compartmentalization of the vertebrate nervous systems was extremely fragmental. Today through a combination of transcription factors and cell-cell signaling molecules and their receptors, we can explain how regional specification of vertebrate brains is accomplished, and how the neuraxis is established in development. We also have several sets of molecules which play roles in the directional growth of axons and specification of neuron wiring. Advances in technology, particularly in gene manipulation techniques in mice, have enabled us to explore the exact functions of molecules or genes in the development of vertebrate nervous systems. Finally, the development of new experimental animal models, in particular zebrafish, has opened a way for genetic approach even to the vertebrate nervous systems. This timely publication presents a broad spectrum of developmental mechanisms on vertebrate nervous systems at molecular and cellular levels.

Table of Contents:
Integration of positional information on anteroposterior and dorsoventral axes of the chick hindbrain, A. Lumsden; Abnormal axial patterning of Lamprey embryos induced by all-trans retinoid acid - morphological plan of the vertebrate body, S. Kuratami et al; Molecular mechanisms for regional specification of the developing mammalian forebrain, M. Nakafuku; How to become the right neuron at the right place - neuronal fate and positional specification in the developing forebrain, M. Gotz et al; Progressive regional specification of cerebral cortex implicated by In Vitro analysis of latexin-expressing neurons in the rat, K. Takiguchi-Hayashi et al; Vertebrate Zic gene family and neural development, J. Aruga et al; Functional analysis of Islet-3 LIM/homeodomain protein in zebrafish brain development, Y. Kikuchi et al; Neuron-glial interactions in the developing rat optic nerve, B.A. Barres; Significance of the SNARE complex in growth cone functions, M. Igarashi; The novel neural differentiation factor CALEB is implicated in neurite growth, S. Schumacher et al; The ontogenesis of stereotyped neuronal networks in the olfactory system of zebrafish, S.I. Korsching et al; IgSF molecules involved in olfactory axon projection, Y. Yoshihara, K. Mori; Guiding mechanism of mitral cell axons in developing mouse brain, T. Hirata, H. Fujisawa; Axonal growth and branch formation in lamina-specific thalamocortical connections, N. Yamamoto; Molecular characterization of neurin receptors, M. Masu et al; Commissural axon guidance toward or away from the floor plate in the developing mammalian brain, R. Shirasaki; Topographic and laminar connection in the chick retinotectal system, M. Noda et al; RGM, a repulsive guidance molecule, is involved in retinal axon guidance In Vitro, B.K. Mueller; Development of motor specificity in the avian limb, V.F. Rafuse et al; Pathfinding by individually identified motoneurons in embryonic zebrafish, G.E. Beattie, J.S. Eisen; Inhibitory effect of Eph receptor tyrosine kinase on motoneuron axonal growth, H. Tanaka et al; Functions of neuropilin in development of nervous system, T. Kitsukawa et al.