Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
07:45
An Explant Assay for Assessing Cellular Behavior of the Cranial Mesenchyme
Published on: January 20, 2013
Unique modulation of cadherin expression pattern during posterior frontal cranial suture development and closure
David E Sahar1, Björn Behr, Kenton D Fong
1Department of Surgery, Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
Cells, Tissues, Organs
|January 7, 2010
Summary
Cranial suture development relies on cell adhesion molecules. This study found E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression patterns regulate posterior frontal suture closure in mice, with Wnt7a and Snail acting as key regulators.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cranial suture development is a complex process involving gene expression and cell contributions.
- Transcription factors, growth factors, and neural crest genes are crucial for calvarial growth.
- In vitro studies suggest cell-cell adhesion molecules drive suture closure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential expression of adhesion molecules during posterior frontal (PF) suture closure in a mouse model.
- To elucidate the roles of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in PF suture development and closure.
- To examine the regulatory roles of Wnt7a, Snail, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 in PF suture closure.
Main Methods:
- cDNA microarray analysis to identify differentially expressed adhesion molecules.
- Quantitative RT-PCR to analyze E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression.
- Gene expression analysis of Wnt7a and Snail.
- Investigation of E-cadherin expression in FGF-2 deficient mice.
Main Results:
- Increased E-cadherin expression was observed during PF suture closure.
- N-cadherin exhibited biphasic expression, preceding and coinciding with E-cadherin expression.
- Wnt7a and Snail showed specific temporal regulation, suggesting a role in cadherin regulation.
- E-cadherin expression and PF suture closure were normal in FGF-2 deficient mice, indicating potential ligand redundancy.
Conclusions:
- E-cadherin and N-cadherin play critical roles in PF suture development and closure.
- Wnt7a and Snail are likely temporal regulators of cadherin expression during suture development.
- FGF-2 is not essential for PF suture closure, suggesting functional redundancy among FGF ligands.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
01:25Structure of Cadherins
The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...
01:51Determination
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...
01:22Sutures of the Skull
The human skull is composed of several bones that come together to protect the brain and support the structures of the face. The junctions where these bones meet are called sutures.
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
Sutures are immobile joints between adjacent bones of the skull. The narrow gap between the bones is filled with dense, fibrous connective tissue that unites the bones. The long sutures located between the skull bones are not straight but instead follow irregular, tightly twisting paths. These twisting lines tightly...
01:30Neurulation
Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
01:23Catenins
Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...