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Developmental changes in spinal cord neurite-promoting activity from chick muscle extracts
1Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
Insights
Muscle extracts from embryonic chicks promote spinal cord neurite growth. The highest promotion of neurite initiation was observed using 18-day embryonic chick muscle extract, suggesting key developmental roles.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Neuroscience
- Cell biology
Background:
- Neurite outgrowth is crucial for neural network formation.
- The role of embryonic muscle-derived factors in neuronal development is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of embryonic chick muscle extracts on spinal cord neurite initiation.
- To identify the developmental stage of muscle tissue that produces neurite-promoting factors.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of muscle extracts from embryonic chicks at various developmental stages (10-18 days).
- Treatment of 6-day embryo spinal cord explants with muscle extracts.
- Assessment of neurite initiation and outgrowth.
Main Results:
- Muscle extracts from embryonic chicks aged 10-18 days significantly increased spinal cord neurite initiation.
- Maximal neurite-promoting activity was observed with extracts from 18-day-old embryos.
- Extracts from older chicks (beyond 18 days) showed no significant effect.
Conclusions:
- Embryonic muscle tissue produces factors that promote spinal cord neurite initiation.
- These factors are likely involved in the formation and stabilization of neuromuscular junctions during embryonic development.
- The identified neurite-promoting factors may regulate axonal branching and maintenance.
Abstract:
Muscle extracts from embryonic chicks aged 10-18 days of embryogenesis produced an increase in 6-day embryo spinal cord neurite initiation. A maximal effect was observed with 18-day extract. Extracts from older chicks produced no effect. These neurite promoting factors are produced at a time in which neuromuscular junctions are forming and becoming stabilized in ovo and may act to control terminal branching, selection, and maintenance of axonal endings.