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Published on: February 2, 2016
Developmental mechanisms directing early anterior forebrain specification in vertebrates
Cynthia Lilian Andoniadou1, Juan Pedro Martinez-Barbera
1Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|February 12, 2013
Summary
Early brain development involves inhibiting BMP/TGFβ signals for neural plate induction and maintaining anterior identity by opposing posteriorizing signals. Transcriptional repressors also regulate anterior forebrain development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Neuroscience
- Embryogenesis
Background:
- A working model for anterior forebrain development has emerged over the last 15 years.
- This model involves neural plate induction, anterior identity acquisition, and maintenance of anterior fates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a historical perspective on experiments elucidating anterior forebrain development.
- To discuss signaling centers and tissues involved in anterior neural plate formation.
- To review the role of transcriptional repressors in anterior forebrain cell competence.
Main Methods:
- Review of significant experimental findings in the field.
- Analysis of mouse mutants to understand gene function.
- Discussion of signaling pathways like BMP/TGFβ.
Main Results:
- Anterior forebrain development requires BMP/TGFβ signaling inhibition for neural plate induction.
- Anterior identity is established and maintained through antagonism of posteriorizing signals.
- Transcriptional repressors play a role in regulating cell competence in the anterior forebrain.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling anterior neural plate development is crucial.
- Specific signaling pathways and transcriptional regulators are key to proper forebrain formation.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge on the signals and signaling centers governing anterior neural plate development.
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