Neuronal polarization establishes distinct molecular structures to generate a single axon and multiple dendrites. Studies over the past years indicate that this efficient separation is brought about by a network of feedback loops. Axonal growth seems to play a major role in fueling those feedback loops and thereby stabilizing neuronal polarity. Indeed, various effectors involved in feedback loops are pivotal for axonal growth by ultimately acting on the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton. These effectors have key roles in interconnecting actin and microtubule dynamics – a mechanism crucial to commanding the growth of axons. We propose a model connecting signaling with cytoskeletal dynamics and neurite growth to better describe the underlying processes involved in neuronal polarization. We will discuss the current views on feedback loops and highlight the current limits of our understanding.

神经元极化建立不同的分子结构以产生单个轴突和多个树突。过去几年的研究表明，这种有效的分离是由反馈回路网络实现的。轴突生长似乎在助长这些反馈回路并从而稳定神经元极性中起主要作用。确实，参与反馈回路的各种效应子通过最终作用于肌动蛋白和微管细胞骨架，对于轴突生长至关重要。这些效应物在互连肌动蛋白和微管动力学方面起着关键作用-这是控制轴突生长的关键机制。我们提出了一个将信号与细胞骨架动力学和神经突生长联系起来的模型，以更好地描述神经元极化所涉及的潜在过程。