Axonal plasticity in response to active forces generated through magnetic nano-pulling

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Mechanical force is crucial in guiding axon outgrowth before and after synapse formation. This process is referred to as "stretch growth." However, how neurons transduce mechanical input into signaling pathways remains poorly understood. Another open question is how stretch growth is coupled in time with the intercalated addition of new mass along the entire axon. Here, we demonstrate that active mechanical force generated by magnetic nano-pulling induces remodeling of the axonal cytoskeleton. Specifically, the increase in the axonal density of microtubules induced by nano-pulling leads to an accumulation of organelles and signaling vesicles, which, in turn, promotes local translation by increasing the probability of assembly of the "translation factories." Modulation of axonal transport and local translation sustains enhanced axon outgrowth and synapse maturation.

Source: Cell Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111912

Authors: Alessandro Falconieri, Sara De Vincentiis, Valentina Cappello, Domenica Convertino, Ravi Das, Samuele Ghignoli, Sofia Figoli, Stefano Luin, Frederic Català-Castro, Laura Marchetti, Ugo Borello, Michael Krieg, Vittoria Raffa

Institutions: University of Pisa, Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Italian Institute of Technology, National Enterprise for NanoScience and NanoTechnology, Center for Nanotechnology Innovation, Scuola Normale Superiore

Language: English

Topic: Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,200

OpenAlex ID: W4313334322