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Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Dissection of Xenopus laevis Neural Crest for in vitro Explant Culture or in vivo Transplantation
Published on: March 4, 2014
Integrin alpha5beta1 supports the migration of Xenopus cranial neural crest on fibronectin
Dominique Alfandari1, Hélène Cousin, Alban Gaultier
1Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health Sciences System, Box 800732, School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. da3s@virginia.edu
Abstract:
During early embryonic development, cranial neural crest cells emerge from the developing mid- and hindbrain. While numerous studies have focused on integrin involvement in trunk neural crest cell migration, comparatively little is known about mechanisms of cranial neural crest cell migration. We show that fibronectin, but not laminin, vitronectin, or type I collagen can support cranial neural crest cell migration and segmentation in vitro. These behaviors require both the RGD and "synergy" sites located within the central cell-binding domain of fibronectin. While these two sites are sufficient for cranial neural crest cell migration, we find that the second Heparin-binding domain of fibronectin can provide additional support for cranial neural crest cell migration in vitro. Finally, using a function blocking monoclonal antibody, we show that cranial neural crest cell migration on fibronectin requires the integrin alpha5beta1.
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