UCLA Researchers Uncover Netrin1’s Critical Role in Spinal Cord Development

UCLA researchers have uncovered a groundbreaking role for the protein netrin1 in spinal cord development, revealing its function as a crucial regulator of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of neural development but also opens new avenues for innovative therapies aimed at spinal cord injury repair and regeneration. Published in Cell Reports, this study highlights netrin1’s dual role in guiding nerve fiber growth and maintaining BMP signaling boundaries, which is vital for proper sensory neuron formation.