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Xenopus neural crest cell migration in an applied electrical field
The Journal of Cell Biology
|October 1, 1983
Summary
Xenopus neural crest cells exhibit electrotaxis, migrating towards a cathode in electrical fields. This endogenous electrical current may guide their development and migration within the embryo.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Bioelectricity
Background:
- Neural crest cells are crucial for vertebrate development, forming diverse cell types.
- Cell migration is guided by various cues, including electrical fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the response of Xenopus neural crest cells to electrical fields.
- To explore the potential role of endogenous electrical currents in guiding neural crest migration.
Main Methods:
- Xenopus embryos and isolated neural crest cells were subjected to controlled electrical fields.
- Cell migration patterns and velocities were analyzed under varying electrical conditions.
- Melanocyte behavior in response to neural crest cells and electrical fields was observed.
Main Results:
- Xenopus neural crest cells demonstrated directed migration towards the cathode in electrical fields (≥10 mV/mm).
- Migration velocity decreased with increased cell-cell contact.
- Differentiated melanocytes showed limited migration, but could be moved by neural crest cells; incompletely differentiated or aggregated melanocytes migrated similarly to neural crest cells.
- Endogenous electrical fields generated by the embryonic skin battery may be comparable in magnitude to applied fields.
Conclusions:
- Xenopus neural crest cells exhibit galvanotaxis (electrotaxis).
- Endogenous electrical fields generated by the embryonic "skin battery" are proposed as a potential guidance mechanism for neural crest cell migration during development.