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Related Concept Videos

Determination01:51

Determination

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...
Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

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...
Gastrulation01:56

Gastrulation

Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata will form...
Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
Synteny and Evolution02:31

Synteny and Evolution

John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
Eukaryotic Evolution01:24

Eukaryotic Evolution

The endosymbiont theory is the most widely accepted theory of eukaryotic evolution; however, its progression is still somewhat debated. According to the nucleus-first hypothesis, the ancestral prokaryote first evolved a membrane to enclose DNA and form the nucleus. Conversely, the mitochondria-first hypothesis suggests that the nucleus was formed after endosymbiosis of mitochondria.
Contrary to the endosymbiont theory, the eukaryote-first hypothesis proposes that the simpler prokaryotic and...

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Dissection of Xenopus laevis Neural Crest for in vitro Explant Culture or in vivo Transplantation
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Published on: March 4, 2014

[Neural crest and vertebrate evolution].

Nicole M Le Douarin1, Sophie Creuzet

  • 1Collège de France, 3 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France. nicole.ledouarin@academie-sciences.fr

Biologie Aujourd'Hui
|August 12, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The neural crest (NC) is a vertebrate innovation crucial for head development, forming facial structures and influencing early brain neurogenesis. Cephalic NC cells regulate brain development by producing signaling molecules like Fgf8.

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Published on: March 4, 2014

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Analysis of Neural Crest Migration and Differentiation by Cross-species Transplantation

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Neuroscience

Context:

  • The neural crest (NC) is a transient embryonic structure unique to vertebrates.
  • NC cells delaminate during neural tube closure and migrate extensively.
  • They differentiate into diverse cell types, including peripheral neurons, glia, and pigment cells.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the role of the neural crest in vertebrate evolution, particularly head formation.
  • To explore the contribution of cephalic neural crest cells to brain development.
  • To elucidate the signaling mechanisms by which NC cells influence neurogenesis.

Summary:

  • The neural crest (NC) is a vertebrate-specific embryonic structure that arises during neural tube closure.
  • Cephalic NC cells contribute significantly to the formation of the vertebrate head, including facial and cranial bones.
  • Recent findings indicate that NC cells also play a critical role in early brain neurogenesis by producing signaling molecules that regulate key developmental centers.

Impact:

  • The neural crest represents a key evolutionary innovation in vertebrates, enabling complex cephalization.
  • Understanding NC cell contributions to brain development offers insights into congenital craniofacial and neurological disorders.
  • This research highlights the intricate interplay between NC cells and brain organizing centers during embryonic development.