Morphogens in the Wiring of the Nervous System

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Editorial

08 January 2016

Editorial: Morphogens in the Wiring of the Nervous System

Juan P. Henríquez

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Nelson Osses

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Juan Pablo Henríquez

Austral University of Chile

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

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Neuronal function relies on the establishment of proper connections between neurons and their target cells during development. This basic statement involves several cellular processes, such as neuronal differentiation, the polarized outgrowth of axons and dendrites from differentiated neurons, and the pathfinding of axons towards target cells. The subsequent recognition of complementary synaptic partners finally triggers the formation, maturation, and maintenance of functional synapses. Morphogens are secreted signaling molecules that regulate tissue patterning and cell identity during early embryonic development. Remarkably, growing evidence over the last years arising from different invertebrate and vertebrate model organisms has shown that, after cell fate has been established, morphogens also control the precise wiring of the nervous system.

We have considered that it is timely to bring together the cumulative evidence pointing to crucial roles for signaling activated by different morphogens in the establishment of precise contacts between neurons and their synaptic partners. Therefore, this research topic issue expects to host review, research and hypotheses articles, to cover the functional relevance of such morphogens on the different steps involved in synaptogenesis. Diverse model systems are welcome as well as different cellular, biochemical and molecular approaches. Altogether, they will contribute in different and complementary ways to build a holistic view of the roles that early development morphogens play during the assembly, maintenance and/or regeneration of functional synapses.

Neuronal function relies on the establishment of proper connections between neurons and their target cells during development. This basic statement involves several cellular processes, such as neuronal differentiation, the polarized outgrowth of axons and dendrites from differentiated neurons, and the pathfinding of axons towards target cells. The subsequent recognition of complementary synaptic partners finally triggers the formation, maturation, and maintenance of functional synapses. Morphogens are secreted signaling molecules that regulate tissue patterning and cell identity during early embryonic development. Remarkably, growing evidence over the last years arising from different invertebrate and vertebrate model organisms has shown that, after cell fate has been established, morphogens also control the precise wiring of the nervous system.

We have considered that it is timely to bring together the cumulative evidence pointing to crucial roles for signaling activated by different morphogens in the establishment of precise contacts between neurons and their synaptic partners. Therefore, this research topic issue expects to host review, research and hypotheses articles, to cover the functional relevance of such morphogens on the different steps involved in synaptogenesis. Diverse model systems are welcome as well as different cellular, biochemical and molecular approaches. Altogether, they will contribute in different and complementary ways to build a holistic view of the roles that early development morphogens play during the assembly, maintenance and/or regeneration of functional synapses.

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Juan Pablo Henríquez

Austral University of Chile

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

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Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience

Non-Neuronal Cells, Cellular Neurophysiology, Cellular Neuropathology

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