Axonal branch patterning and neuronal shape diversity: roles in developmental circuit assembly

Recent progress in human genetics and single cell sequencing rapidly expands the list of molecular factors that offer important new contributions to our understanding of brain wiring. Yet many new molecular factors are being discovered that have never been studied in the context of neuronal circuit development. This is clearly asking for increased efforts to better understand the developmental mechanisms of circuit assembly [1]. Moreover, recent studies characterizing the developmental causes of some psychiatric diseases show impressive progress in reaching cellular resolution in their analysis. They provide concrete support emphasizing the importance of axonal branching and synapse formation as a hotspot for potential defects. Inspired by these new studies we will discuss progress but also challenges in understanding how neurite branching and neuronal shape diversity itself impacts on specificity of neuronal circuit assembly. We discuss the idea that neuronal shape acquisition itself is a key specificity factor in neuronal circuit assembly.

Automated summary

Recent progress in human genetics and single cell sequencing has expanded our understanding of brain wiring, while studies on the developmental causes of psychiatric diseases have shown significant advancements, emphasizing the importance of axonal branching and synapse formation. These findings highlight the need for increased efforts in understanding the developmental mechanisms of circuit assembly and the impact of neuronal shape diversity on specificity.