Cadherin-7 mediates proper neural crest cell-placodal neuron interactions during trigeminal ganglion assembly

The cranial trigeminal ganglia play a vital role in the peripheral nervous system through their relay of sensory information from the vertebrate head to the brain. These ganglia are generated from the intermixing and coalescence of two distinct cell populations: cranial neural crest cells and placodal neurons. Trigeminal ganglion assembly requires the formation of cadherin-based adherens junctions within the neural crest cell and placodal neuron populations; however, the molecular composition of these adherens junctions is still unknown. Herein, we aimed to define the spatio-temporal expression pattern and function of Cadherin-7 during early chick trigeminal ganglion formation. Our data reveal that Cadherin-7 is expressed exclusively in migratory cranial neural crest cells and is absent from trigeminal neurons. Using molecular perturbation experiments, we demonstrate that modulation of Cadherin-7 in neural crest cells influences trigeminal ganglion assembly, including the organization of neural crest cells and placodal neurons within the ganglionic anlage. Moreover, alterations in Cadherin-7 levels lead to changes in the morphology of trigeminal neurons. Taken together, these findings provide additional insight into the role of cadherin-based adhesion in trigeminal ganglion formation, and, more broadly, the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the cellular interactions essential for cranial gangliogenesis.