Adaptive roles of programmed cell death during nervous system development

Robert R. Buss, Woong Sun, Ronald W. Oppenheim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

105 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The programmed cell death (PCD) of developing cells is considered an essential adaptive process that evolved to serve diverse roles. We review the putative adaptive functions of PCD in the animal kingdom with a major focus on PCD in the developing nervous system. Considerable evidence is consistent with the role of PCD in events ranging from neurulation and synaptogenesis to the elimination of adult-generated CNS cells. The remarkable recent progress in our understanding of the genetic regulation of PCD has made it possible to perturb (inhibit) PCD and determine the possible repercussions for nervous system development and function. Although still in their infancy, these studies have so far revealed few striking behavioral or functional phenotypes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAnnual Review of Neuroscience
EditorsSteven Hyman, Thomas Jessell, Charles Stevens
Pages1-35
Number of pages35
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Publication series

NameAnnual Review of Neuroscience
Volume29
ISSN (Print)0147-006X

Keywords

  • Adaptation
  • Apoptosis
  • Development
  • Evolution
  • Programmed cell death

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Adaptive roles of programmed cell death during nervous system development'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this