Actin-based growth cone motility and guidance

Nerve growth cones, the dilated tip of developing axons, are equipped with exquisite abilities to sense environmental cues and to move rapidly through complex terrains of developing brain, leading the axons to their specific targets for precise neuronal wiring. The actin cytoskeleton is the major component of the growth cone that powers its directional motility. Past research has provided significant insights into the mechanisms by which growth cones translate extracellular signals into directional migration. In this review, we summarize the actin-based mechanisms underlying directional growth cone motility, examine novel findings, and discuss the outstanding questions concerning the actin-based growth cone behaviors. •Nerve growth cones are the actin-based motile structure of developing axons.•Actin-based growth cone motility drives the extension of axons•The actin cytoskeleton of the growth cone is the major target of complex signaling elicited by extracellular molecules.•Guided axonal growth requires concerted efforts from the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton, membrane, and adhesion.