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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
09:03
Analysis of Neural Crest Migration and Differentiation by Cross-species Transplantation
Published on: February 7, 2012
Disc1 regulates foxd3 and sox10 expression, affecting neural crest migration and differentiation
Catherine M Drerup1, Heather M Wiora, Jacek Topczewski
1Program in Human Molecular Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Children's Memorial Research Center, Northwestern University, 2300 Children's Plaza, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|July 3, 2009
Summary
Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) regulates zebrafish cranial neural crest (CNC) cell migration by repressing transcription factors foxd3 and sox10. DISC1 loss impairs craniofacial development, impacting cartilage and glia formation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is a key gene linked to schizophrenia.
- Cranial neural crest (CNC) cells are crucial for craniofacial development.
- Understanding DISC1's role in CNC cell behavior is vital for developmental neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of DISC1 in zebrafish cranial neural crest (CNC) cell migration and differentiation.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which DISC1 influences CNC cell development.
- To establish a link between DISC1, transcription factor regulation, and craniofacial anomalies.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of DISC1 expression in zebrafish CNC cells.
- Analysis of CNC cell migration patterns following DISC1 knockdown.
- Quantitative assessment of foxd3 and sox10 gene expression in DISC1-deficient cells.
Main Results:
- DISC1 is expressed in zebrafish CNC cells.
- DISC1 loss leads to aberrant medial migration of CNC cells and hindered migration away from the neural rod.
- CNC cell speed remains unaffected, but foxd3 and sox10 expression is enhanced, correlating with migration defects.
- Craniofacial cartilage loss and peripheral cranial glia expansion observed in DISC1-deficient zebrafish.
Conclusions:
- DISC1 plays a critical role in regulating CNC cell migration and differentiation.
- DISC1 likely functions by transcriptionally repressing foxd3 and sox10.
- Dysregulation of DISC1 impacts craniofacial development, potentially contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders.
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