Method of regulating neuronal axon elongation

Abstract

The present invention includes a treating step of treating neuronal growth cone with a regulatory factor to regulate macropinocytosis caused by a repulsive axon guidance molecule. The present invention can provide a new neuronal axon elongation regulating method etc.

1 . A method of increasing neuronal axon elongation, comprising:
 a treating step of treating neuronal growth cone with a regulatory factor to reduce macropinocytosis caused by a repulsive axon guidance molecule,   the treating step inducing promotion of the axon elongation as a result of reducing the macropinocytosis,   wherein the regulatory factor is an inhibitor of a sodium/proton exchanger being present in the growth cone.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the inhibitor is 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride or an analog thereof.   
     
     
         4 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 ,
 wherein the treating step comprises an administering step of administering an effective amount of the regulatory factor to a human or non-human animal, wherein the human or non-human animal is one suffering damage to a nervous system thereof or is to undergo an operation on its nervous system thereof.   
     
     
         8 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 ,
 wherein the inhibitor is 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride.