TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION AND AXON GUIDANCE - OF MICE AND FLIES

Recent genetic evidence suggests that tyrosine kinases and tyrosine ph osphatases can control the guidance of specific growth cones. Within a family of related phosphatases or kinases, individual members can hav e partially redundant functions. Receptor phosphatases can work togeth er at one guidance choice point, but in opposition at another. The spe cific combination of kinases and phosphatases active in a growth cone may be an important determinant of pathway choice. One mechanism by wh ich these proteins could control guidance decisions is through regulat ion of adhesion between growth cones and axons.