Connecting the eye to the brain: the molecular basis of ganglion cell axon guidance

Br J Ophthalmol. 2003 May;87(5):639-45. doi: 10.1136/bjo.87.5.639.

Abstract

In the past several years, a great deal has been learnt about the molecular basis through which specific neural pathways in the visual system are established during embryonic development. This review provides a framework for understanding the principles of retinal ganglion cell axon guidance, and introduces some of the families of axon guidance molecules involved. In addition, the potential relevance of retinal axon guidance to human visual developmental disorders, and to retinal axon regeneration, is discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Axons
  • Child
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / metabolism
  • Developmental Disabilities / etiology
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Ephrins / metabolism
  • Eye / embryology
  • Eye / innervation*
  • Fibronectins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Netrin-1
  • Neural Pathways* / metabolism
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic / metabolism
  • Optic Disk / anatomy & histology
  • Optic Disk / embryology
  • Receptors, Drug / metabolism
  • Retinal Ganglion Cells* / metabolism
  • Semaphorins / metabolism
  • Superior Colliculi / embryology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Visual Cortex / embryology*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Ephrins
  • Fibronectins
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic
  • Receptors, Drug
  • Semaphorins
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • sli protein, Drosophila
  • Netrin-1
  • Chondroitin Sulfates