Par proteins and neuronal polarity

Abstract

A hallmark of neurons is their ability to polarize with dendrite and axon specification to allow the proper flow of information through the nervous system. Over the past decade, extensive research has been performed in an attempt to understand the molecular and cellular machinery mediating this neuronal polarization process. It has become evident that many of the critical regulators involved in establishing neuronal polarity are evolutionarily conserved proteins that had previously been implicated in controlling the polarization of other cell types. At the forefront of this research are the partition defective (Par) proteins. In this review,we will provide a commentary on the progress of work regarding the central importance of Parproteins in the establishment of neuronal polarity.

Figure 1. Summary of the signaling pathways involving the Par proteins in axon specification and neuronal polarization

Arrow heads at the end of lines indicate activation, whereas circles at the end of the lines indicate inhibition. Double-headed arrowheads indicate association. Broken arrows represent proposed interactions that have not been tested. Red stars inscribed with a yellow “P” indicate a phosphorylation event.