Figure 2

Network of genes for neuritogenesis and neurite elongation. A neurite growth cone and genes related to neuritogenesis and neurite elongation are shown. These genes are grouped on the basis of their functions and these gene groups are marked by dotted-line boxes. The function groups in these boxes are: b1 - growth factor and ephrin receptors; b2 - Glu receptor and scaffolding genes; b3 - extracellular matrix interacting genes; b4 - actin-organizing genes; b5 - focal adhesion complex genes; and b6 - signal transduction (kinase, phosphatase, small GTPase-binding and activating) genes. The lines between genes indicate their interactions based on previously published experimental data (multiple interaction types, such as activation, inhibition, binding, etc., exist in the network). All genes in this network were up-regulated in the Glud1 neurons, indicative of neuronal efforts to re-grow neurites in response to neurite loss observed in Tg mouse neurons. PTK2B, a major focal adhesion kinase, is a hub node in this network, indicating that it is one of the key gene players in neuritogenesis and neurite elongation.