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Regulating filopodial dynamics through actin-depolymerizing factor/cofilin

  • Special Review Based on a Presentation made at the 16th International Congress of the IFAA
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Abstract

The regulation of filopodial dynamics by neurotrophins and other guidance cues plays an integral role in growth cone pathfinding. Filopodia are F-actin-based structures that explore the local environment, generate forces and play a role in growth cone translocation. Here, we review recent research showing that the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF)/cofilin family of proteins mediates changes in the length and number of growth cone filopodia in response to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Although inhibition of myosin contractility also causes filopodial elongation, the elongation in response to BDNF does not occur through a myosin-dependent pathway. Active ADF/cofilin increases the rate of cycling between the monomer and polymer pools and is critical for the BDNF-induced changes. Thus, we discuss potential mechanisms by which ADF/cofilin may affect filopodial initiation and length change via its effects on F-actin dynamics in light of past research on actin and myosin function in growth cones.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, 1870 Campus Delivery, 80523-1870, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

    Joseph Fass, Patrick Sarmiere & James R. Bamburg

  2. Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    Scott Gehler & Paul Letourneau

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  1. Joseph Fass
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  2. Scott Gehler
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  3. Patrick Sarmiere
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Correspondence to James R. Bamburg.

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Fass, J., Gehler, S., Sarmiere, P. et al. Regulating filopodial dynamics through actin-depolymerizing factor/cofilin. Anato Sci Int 79, 173–183 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-073x.2004.00087.x

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