{
  "abstract": "Axon outgrowth requires forces generated by the growth cone. A key model explaining this force generation is the adhesion-clutch mechanism, in which adhesion and clutch molecules convert backward movement of actin filaments into the force that drives axon outgrowth. However, this mechanism has not been validated in three-dimensional (3D) environments. Additionally, a recent study reported that inhibiting actin dynamics or the cell adhesion molecule integrin did not affect axon outgrowth in a 3D collagen gel, challenging the adhesion-clutch paradigm. Here, we show that the adhesion molecule N-cadherin and the clutch molecule shootin1a form a non-integrin adhesion-clutch in a 3D environment containing an appropriate adhesive substrate, N-cadherin. We detected forces produced by growth cones when N-cadherin was present. Furthermore, inhibition of N-cadherin, shootin1a or actin dynamics suppressed 3D axon outgrowth. Our findings demonstrate that the adhesion-clutch is critical machinery for 3D neural network formation under the regulation of specific adhesions.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Nara Institute of Science and Technology"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "H. Chen"
    },
    {
      "name": "Z. Qiu"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Yamada"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Murakami"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. Minegishi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "N. Inagaki"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4shx0hd55qv79.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.07.749764",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.07.749764v1.full",
  "id": "4shx0hd55qv79",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.07.749764v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "neuroscience"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2804|Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7164893654",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.07.749764v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-07",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4shx0hd55qv79.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.07.749764",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.07.749764v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:neuroscience",
      "subfield": "neuroscience"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Adhesion-clutch drives three-dimensional axon outgrowth",
  "title_text": "Adhesion-clutch drives three-dimensional axon outgrowth",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/4shx0hd55qv79",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}