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Timing and cell interactions underlying neural induction in the chick embryo
D K Darnell1, M R Stark, G C Schoenwolf
1Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|May 5, 1999
Summary
Neural induction requires organizer signals for specification. Chick embryo explants reveal that prospective neuroectoderm gains neural fate only after interacting with organizer tissue during gastrulation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Embryology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Neural induction is a critical early differentiation event.
- Previous studies identified inducing activities and signaling molecules involved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an improved model system for analyzing neural induction and patterning.
- To establish the timing and spatial distribution of neural specification and organizer activity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transverse blastoderm isolates from gastrulating chick embryos.
- Analyzed neural specification timing and spatial distribution of organizer activity.
Main Results:
- Organizer activity is co-localized with prospective neuroectoderm rostral to the primitive streak in early gastrulas.
- Prospective neuroectoderm requires organizer signals for neural differentiation up to the mid-primitive streak stage.
- Neural specification is achieved by the fully elongated primitive streak stage.
Conclusions:
- Transverse blastoderm isolates provide an effective model for studying early neural induction.
- This study clarifies the temporal and spatial requirements for neuraxis initiation and patterning.