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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Real-time Bioluminescence Imaging of Notch Signaling Dynamics during Murine Neurogenesis
Published on: December 12, 2019
Neural crest regulates myogenesis through the transient activation of NOTCH
Anne C Rios1, Olivier Serralbo, David Salgado
1EMBL Australia, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Building 75, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
Abstract:
How dynamic signalling and extensive tissue rearrangements interact to generate complex patterns and shapes during embryogenesis is poorly understood. Here we characterize the signalling events taking place during early morphogenesis of chick skeletal muscles. We show that muscle progenitors present in somites require the transient activation of NOTCH signalling to undergo terminal differentiation. The NOTCH ligand Delta1 is expressed in a mosaic pattern in neural crest cells that migrate past the somites. Gain and loss of Delta1 function in neural crest modifies NOTCH signalling in somites, which results in delayed or premature myogenesis. Our results indicate that the neural crest regulates early muscle formation by a unique mechanism that relies on the migration of Delta1-expressing neural crest cells to trigger the transient activation of NOTCH signalling in selected muscle progenitors. This dynamic signalling guarantees a balanced and progressive differentiation of the muscle progenitor pool.
Insights
Neural crest cells regulate chick skeletal muscle development by delivering Delta1 signals. This transiently activates NOTCH signalling in muscle progenitors, ensuring balanced differentiation during embryogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Cell signalling
- Embryogenesis
Background:
- Understanding how dynamic signalling and tissue rearrangements shape complex patterns during embryogenesis is crucial.
- Early skeletal muscle morphogenesis involves intricate cellular interactions and signalling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the signalling events governing early chick skeletal muscle morphogenesis.
- To elucidate the role of NOTCH signalling and neural crest cells in muscle progenitor differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of signalling events during early chick skeletal muscle development.
- Investigating the function of NOTCH signalling and its ligand Delta1.
- Manipulating Delta1 function in neural crest cells to observe effects on somite signalling and myogenesis.
Main Results:
- Muscle progenitors in somites require transient NOTCH signalling activation for terminal differentiation.
- Delta1, expressed by migrating neural crest cells, influences NOTCH signalling in somites.
- Altering Delta1 function in neural crest cells leads to delayed or premature myogenesis.
Conclusions:
- The neural crest regulates early muscle formation through a novel mechanism involving migrating Delta1-expressing cells.
- This process transiently activates NOTCH signalling in specific muscle progenitors, ensuring balanced differentiation.
- This dynamic signalling ensures a progressive and balanced differentiation of the muscle progenitor pool.
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