How Growth Cones Sense Extracellular Cues and Drive Neuronal Migration

ABSTRACT Migrating neurons form a growth cone at the tip of their leading process. This specialized structure shares striking anatomical and functional similarities with axonal growth cones. We hypothesize that both cones respond to common extracellular cues and direct neuronal migration and axon extension, respectively, through analogous mechanisms. Guidance cues provide growth cones with attractive or repulsive signals to direct them towards their targets. By binding to specific receptors on growth cones, these cues trigger intracellular signaling pathways that reorganize the cytoskeleton and propel neurons or axons in precise directions. Notably, many of the receptors that mediate axon guidance are also present in the growth cones of migrating neurons, reinforcing the idea of a conserved molecular machinery. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying growth cone dynamics in migrating neurons promises to deepen our understanding of neuronal development, and to pave the way for new regenerative therapies aimed at promoting neuronal migration.