Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Peripheral Nervous System: Ganglia and Nerves

Peripheral Nervous System: Ganglia and Nerves

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is a crucial component of the body's neural network, extending beyond the central nervous system (CNS) to bridge the gap between the CNS and the external environment. It encompasses nerves, ganglia, and sensory receptors.
Nerves
The nerve is a bundle of axons that serves as the communication highway in the PNS. Each nerve is ensheathed in a protective layer of connective tissue called the epineurium. This outermost layer safeguards the nerve and supports the...

Parasympathetic Signaling

Parasympathetic Signaling

Parasympathetic signaling plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes. It involves the release of acetylcholine (ACh) by parasympathetic neurons, which can have localized and short-lived effects. The majority of ACh released is rapidly inactivated at the synapse by the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which hydrolyzes Ach into choline and acetate. Additionally, the tissue cholinesterase deactivates any ACh diffusing into the surrounding tissues.
The effects of...

Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways

Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways

Somatic sensory or somatosensory pathways refer to the neural pathways that carry information related to touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints to the brain. These pathways involve several stages of processing and integration of sensory information.
The somatosensory system is divided into three main pathways: the dorsal (or posterior) column-medial lemniscus, spinothalamic (or anterolateral), and spinocerebellar pathways.
The dorsal...

Organization of the Nervous System

Organization of the Nervous System

The nervous system is one of the most complex systems in our body. It is organized into two main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS, comprising the brain and spinal cord, houses billions of neurons. The brain is housed in the skull, while the spinal cord is linked to the brain through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone and is surrounded by the protective structure of the vertebral column. It is responsible for processing various...

Spinal Cord: Information Processing

Spinal Cord: Information Processing

The spinal cord is an integral hub for motor and sensory information that enables the brain to communicate with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This communication consists of relaying sensory data and transmission of motor commands.
Sensory Information Processing
Sensory information processing begins at the sensory receptors located in the skin and other tissues, which detect somatic sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain. These receptors function as catalysts, initiating...

Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity

Enteric Nervous System: Regulation of GI Motor Activity

The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) plays a pivotal role in regulating gastrointestinal or GI motor activity. This complex network of nerves, deeply embedded within the gut wall, responds to changes in the gut environment and receives input from both the autonomic nervous system and the central nervous system. By doing so, the ENS operates various programs tailored to the body's nutritional status and needs.
During periods of fasting, the ENS initiates the migrating myoelectric complex, a program...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Adapting in ovo RNAi as a tool to study gene function during neural circuit formation in the cerebellum.

Journal of neuroscience methods·2026

Same author

A gentle palette of plasma membrane dyes.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Same author

Sequential and independent probabilistic events regulate differential axon targeting during development in Drosophila melanogaster.

Nature neuroscience·2025

Same author

The primary cilium gene CPLANE1 is required for peripheral nervous system development.

Developmental biology·2024

Same author

A cell-autonomous role for primary cilium-mediated signaling in long-range commissural axon guidance.

Development (Cambridge, England)·2024

Same author

Cables1 links Slit/Robo and Wnt/Frizzled signaling in commissural axon guidance.

Development (Cambridge, England)·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Dissociated Sensory Neurons From Chick Embryos

Isolation and Culture of Dissociated Sensory Neurons From Chick Embryos

Published on: September 24, 2014

Semaphorin6A acts as a gate keeper between the central and the peripheral nervous system.

Olivier Mauti¹, Elena Domanitskaya, Irwin Andermatt

¹Developmental Neuroscience, Institute of Zoology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Olivier.Mauti@zool.uzh.ch

Neural Development

|December 20, 2007

Summary

Chicken SEMAPHORIN6A (SEMA6A) acts as a gatekeeper in spinal cord development, preventing motor neurons from exiting the CNS and organizing dorsal root formation. Its function is crucial at the peripheral and central nervous system interface.

More Related Videos

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila

Published on: June 16, 2017

A Quantitative Cell Migration Assay for Murine Enteric Neural Progenitors

A Quantitative Cell Migration Assay for Murine Enteric Neural Progenitors

Published on: September 18, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Dissociated Sensory Neurons From Chick Embryos

Isolation and Culture of Dissociated Sensory Neurons From Chick Embryos

Published on: September 24, 2014

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila

Visualization of the Axonal Projection Pattern of Embryonic Motor Neurons in Drosophila

Published on: June 16, 2017

A Quantitative Cell Migration Assay for Murine Enteric Neural Progenitors

A Quantitative Cell Migration Assay for Murine Enteric Neural Progenitors

Published on: September 18, 2013

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Developmental Biology
Cell Biology

Background:

Chicken SEMAPHORIN6A (SEMA6A) is expressed at boundary caps, crucial sites for neural crest cell migration during spinal cord development.
Boundary cap cells form a transient structure at the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) interface.
Previous studies showed that boundary cap ablation leads to motor neuron mismigration.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of Sema6A as a gatekeeper between the CNS and PNS.
To understand the function of Sema6A in motor neuron guidance and dorsal root formation.

Main Methods:

In ovo RNA interference to downregulate Sema6A expression in boundary cap cells.
Analyzing the effects of Sema6A knockdown on motor neuron exit and dorsal root development.
Investigating the role of PlexinA1, PlexinA4, and Sema6D in these processes.

Main Results:

Downregulation of Sema6A caused motor neurons to exit the spinal cord ventrally and impaired dorsal root formation and segregation.
Knockdown of PlexinA1 mimicked the Sema6A loss-of-function phenotype at both ventral and dorsal root entry sites.
Loss of PlexinA4 or Sema6D specifically affected dorsal root development.

Conclusions:

Sema6A functions as a critical gatekeeper at the CNS/PNS interface, both ventrally and dorsally.
Sema6A is essential for boundary cap cell clustering, preventing ventral motor neuron mis-egress.
Sema6A organizes dorsal root segregation at the dorsal root entry site.