How extracellular signals, such as BDNF, regulate axonal branching is unclear. Here, Jeanneteau et al. find that MAP kinase phosphatase 1 expression is induced by BDNF signaling to deactivate JNK. This negatively regulates phosphorylation of JNK substrates that impinge on microtubule destabilization. Neurons from mkp-1 null mice were unable to produce BDNF-induced axon branches.
- Freddy Jeanneteau
- Katrin Deinhardt
- Moses V Chao
