Differential cDNA screening strategies to identify novel stage-specific proteins in the developing mammalian brain

The molecular basis for cell lineage, migration and patterning in the developing mammalian brain is the focus of extensive investigation by neuroscientists. Many of the proteins that are uniquely expressed in specific stages of development remain to be isolated. In the present review, subtractive hybridization, differential display and single cell amplification are presented as possible differential cDNA screening strategies to identify new proteins important to neural development. The advantages and limitations of each approach are discussed and new lines of investigation in which they can be applied effectively are suggested.