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Tangential migration of neurons in the developing cerebral cortex
N A O'Rourke1, D P Sullivan, C E Kaznowski
1Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Neurons in the developing brain migrate using both radial and nonradial paths. Nonradial migration, including tangential migration, is common and crucial for brain development, utilizing glial fibers and axons as substrates.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The mammalian cerebral cortex has functionally distinct areas.
- Radial neuronal migration was previously considered essential for cortical patterning.
- Previous studies suggested neurons might not be confined to radial pathways in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neuronal migration patterns in the intact mammalian cerebral cortex.
- To determine the prevalence and nature of nonradial neuronal migration.
- To explore the substrates supporting nonradial migration.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of [3H]thymidine-labeled migrating cells in intact cortex and brain slices.
- Immunostaining with neuron-specific antibodies.
- Confocal and electron microscopy to examine cell-substrate interactions.
Main Results:
- Nonradial migration is as common in intact cortex as in slices and increases during neurogenesis.
- Tangential migration occurs at all levels of the developing cerebral wall and involves young neurons.
- Nonradially migrating cells interact with glial processes and axons, suggesting unique migratory strategies.
Conclusions:
- Nonradial and tangential migration are significant contributors to neuronal positioning in the developing cortex.
- Tangential migration plays a key role in the dispersion of clonally related cells.
- Nonradially migrating neurons employ distinct strategies and substrates compared to radially migrating cells.