Timing of neuronal plasticity in development and aging

5 years ago

Timing of neuronal plasticity in development and aging

Evguenia Ivakhnitskaia, Kana Hamada, Ryan Weihsiang Lin, Chieh Chang

Molecular oscillators are well known for their roles in temporal control of some biological processes like cell proliferation, but molecular mechanisms that provide temporal control of differentiation and postdifferentiation events in cells are less understood. In the nervous system, establishment of neuronal connectivity during development and decline in neuronal plasticity during aging are regulated with temporal precision, but the timing mechanisms are largely unknown. Caenorhabditis elegans has been a preferred model for aging research and recently emerges as a new model for the study of developmental and postdevelopmental plasticity in neurons. In this review we discuss the emerging mechanisms in timing of developmental lineage progression, axon growth and pathfinding, synapse formation, and reorganization, and neuronal plasticity in development and aging. We also provide a current view on the conserved core axon regeneration molecules with the intention to point out potential regulatory points of temporal controls. We highlight recent progress in understanding timing mechanisms that regulate decline in regenerative capacity, including progressive changes of intrinsic timers and co-opting the aging pathway molecules. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. Turn back the biological clock in old neurons.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1002/wdev.305