Actomyosin Contractility in the Generation and Plasticity of Axons and Dendritic Spines

Actin and non-muscle myosins have long been known to play important roles in growth
cone steering and neurite outgrowth. More recently, novel functions for non-muscle myosin have
been described in axons and dendritic spines. Consequently, possible roles of actomyosin contraction
in organizing and maintaining structural properties of dendritic spines, the size and location of
axon initial segment and axonal diameter are emerging research topics. In this review, we aim to
summarize recent findings involving myosin localization and function in these compartments and to
discuss possible roles for actomyosin in their function and the signaling pathways that control them.