motor neuron migration

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The orderly movement of a motor neuron from one site to another. A motor neuron is an efferent neuron that passes from the central nervous system or a ganglion toward or to a muscle and conducts an impulse that causes movement. [CL:0000100, GOC:yaf, PMID:20711475]

Motor neuron migration is a complex and tightly regulated process that involves the precise movement of these crucial nerve cells from their birthplace in the neural tube to their final destinations in the spinal cord and brain. This journey is essential for the development of a functional nervous system, allowing for the control of voluntary movements.

**Here's a detailed breakdown of the process:**

1. **Birthplace:** Motor neurons are born in the ventricular zone of the neural tube, a specialized region where neural stem cells undergo continuous division.
2. **Initial Migration:** As motor neurons differentiate, they embark on their journey, guided by a combination of cues:
* **Chemoattractants:** Chemical signals that attract the neurons towards their target destination. Examples include netrin-1, a protein secreted by target tissues in the spinal cord.
* **Chemorepellents:** Chemical signals that repel the neurons from undesired regions. Examples include Slit2, a protein that helps ensure neurons don't migrate to inappropriate areas.
3. **Tangential Migration:** After their initial radial migration, motor neurons often engage in tangential migration, moving along the length of the spinal cord to reach their final positions. This is guided by:
* **Cell-cell interactions:** Motor neurons interact with other cells, such as glial cells, which provide support and guidance.
* **Growth cone guidance:** The growth cone, a specialized structure at the tip of the neuron's axon, senses environmental cues and directs the neuron's path.
4. **Target Recognition:** Motor neurons must recognize their correct targets, which are specific muscles or muscle groups. This recognition is often facilitated by:
* **Cell surface receptors:** Receptors on the neuron's surface bind to specific ligands on target cells, triggering a signaling cascade that reinforces migration.
5. **Synapse Formation:** Once the neuron reaches its final destination, it forms a synapse, a specialized junction where it can communicate with its target muscle. This communication allows for the transmission of signals that control muscle contraction.

Throughout this entire process, motor neuron migration is subject to intricate regulation by a variety of signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms, ensuring the proper development and functioning of the motor system. Errors in this process can lead to neurological disorders characterized by impaired motor control.'
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Proteins (2)

Compounds (7)