The latter are important structures not only for neurite elongation, pathfinding, target identification and, likely, synapse formation, but also in the regenerating nervous system, where growth cones are formed from the proximal axonal stumps of injured neurons. It is the regulation of neuronal growth cone form, especially the regulation of filopodia, that is in the center of our research. With this knowledge we start to understand how extracellular signals such as trophic factors, molecules of the extracellular matrix, neurotransmitter, etc., can, by activating specific second messenger systems, stereotypically affect neuronal filopodia with likely far-reaching consequences for growth cone navigation. In our studies we employ light microscopy, electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, video-enhanced imaging, quantitative calcium imaging and molecular biological techniques. Regulation of neuronal growth cone filopodia by nitric oxide depends on soluble guanylyl cyclase.
Filopodial behavior is dependent on the phosphorylation state of neuronal growth cones.
Stimulation-induced changes in filopodial dynamics determine the action radius of growth cones in the snail Helisoma trivolvis. Regulation of chick DRG growth cone filopodia by protein kinase C. Brain Research. Regulation of neuronal growth cone filopodia by nitric oxide. Autonomous regulation of growth cone filopodia. The sensory-motor role of growth cone filopodia.