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Dishevelled: linking convergent extension with neural tube closure

Andrew J Copp1, Nicholas D E Greene, Jennifer N Murdoch

  • 1Neural Development Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College, London WC1N 1EH, UK. a.copp@ich.ucl.ac.uk

Trends in Neurosciences
|September 2, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Neural tube closure requires proper planar cell polarity pathway function. Disruptions lead to failed convergent extension and prevent neural fold fusion, causing developmental defects.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Cell biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neural tube closure is a critical early developmental process.
  • The planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway regulates cell behaviors essential for tissue morphogenesis.
  • Disruptions in PCP signaling are implicated in various developmental abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the planar cell polarity pathway in neural tube closure.
  • To identify the cellular mechanisms underlying neural tube closure defects caused by PCP misregulation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mouse and Xenopus models to study neural tube development.
  • Examined the effects of misregulating dishevelled and other PCP pathway components.
  • Analyzed cell behaviors and tissue morphology during early neural plate development.

Main Results:

  • Misregulation of dishevelled and PCP components disrupts neural tube closure in both mouse and Xenopus.
  • The primary defect observed is a failure of convergent extension in the midline of the neural plate.
  • Neural folds form but are positioned too far apart, preventing successful apposition and closure.

Conclusions:

  • The planar cell polarity pathway is essential for proper neural tube closure.
  • Convergent extension in the neural plate midline is a key process regulated by PCP signaling.
  • PCP pathway integrity is crucial for coordinating cell movements required for closing the neural tube.

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