Dendrites go up, axons go down

Article Abstract:

A guidance factor known as semaphorin 3A functions as a chemoattractant for dendrites growing from certain neurons. The same molecule is also a chemorepellant for axons growing from these neurons.

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Semaphorin 3A is a chemoattractant for cortical apical dendrites

Article Abstract:

Different compartments of a neuron can respond in opposite ways to the same chemotropic signal. Apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons grow towards a source of semaphorin 3A, but their axons are repelled by the same ligand.

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Projection domains of MAP2 and tau determine spacings between microtubules in dendrites and axons

Article Abstract:

Dendrites and axons are processes of neurons which contain microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). Insect ovarian Sf9 cells were used to study the effect on their microtubule morphology and arrangement of the expression of the three MAPs: MAP2, MAP2C and tau. The Sf9 cells were caused to synthesize these proteins by infection with a virus containing recombinant sequence encoding them. Cells expressing MAP2 were found to have microtubules arranged as they are in dendrites while cells expressing MAP2C and tau were found to have microtubules spaced as in axons.

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