Cofilin regulates axon growth and branching of Drosophila γ-neurons

Abstract

The mechanisms that control intrinsic axon growth potential, and thus axon regeneration following injury, are not well understood. Developmental axon regrowth of Drosophila mushroom body γ-neurons during neuronal remodeling offers a unique opportunity to study the molecular mechanisms controlling intrinsic growth potential. Motivated by the recently uncovered developmental expression atlas of γ-neurons, we here focus on the role of the actin-severing protein cofilin during axon regrowth. We show that Twinstar (Tsr), the fly cofilin, is a crucial regulator of both axon growth and branching during developmental remodeling of γ-neurons. tsr mutant axons demonstrate growth defects both in vivo and in vitro, and also exhibit actin-rich filopodial-like structures at failed branch points in vivo. Our data is inconsistent with Tsr being important for increasing G-actin availability. Furthermore, analysis of microtubule localization suggests that Tsr is required for microtubule infiltration into the axon tips and branch points. Taken together, we show that Tsr promotes axon growth and branching, likely by clearing F-actin to facilitate protrusion of microtubules.