Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays
10:32

Enumeration of Neural Stem Cells Using Clonal Assays

Published on: October 4, 2016

JAM-C is an apical surface marker for neural stem cells

Sandra Stelzer1, Maik M A Worlitzer, Lamia'a Bahnassawy

  • 1Institute of Cell Biology, Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration Group, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, ZMBE, Münster, Germany.

Stem Cells and Development
|November 26, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Junctional adhesion molecule-C (JAM-C) is expressed in neural stem cells (NSCs) and progenitor cells. This protein is asymmetrically distributed during cell division, identifying it as a novel marker for neural stem cells.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Junctional adhesion molecule-C (JAM-C) is a cell surface protein involved in cell-cell adhesion.
  • Neural stem cells (NSCs) are highly polarized and their self-renewal relies on controlled cell divisions.
  • The distribution of apical membrane components influences NSC division asymmetry.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and localization of JAM-C in neural stem cells.
  • To determine if JAM-C plays a role in the asymmetric cell divisions of NSCs.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry on embryonic and adult mouse brain tissue.
  • Analysis of JAM-C expression and localization in neural progenitor and stem cells.
  • In vivo studies to observe JAM-C distribution during cell division.

Main Results:

  • JAM-C is expressed in neural progenitor cells and neural stem cells in both embryonic and adult mouse brains.
  • JAM-C is enriched at the apical surface of these cells.
  • JAM-C exhibits asymmetric distribution during neural stem cell division.

Conclusions:

  • JAM-C is identified as a novel surface marker for neural stem cells.
  • The asymmetric distribution of JAM-C suggests a role in regulating NSC division.
  • JAM-C may be important for maintaining neural stem cell populations.

More Related Videos

Identifying Cell Surface Markers of Primary Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells by Metabolic Labeling of Sialoglycan11:39

Identifying Cell Surface Markers of Primary Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells by Metabolic Labeling of Sialoglycan

Published on: September 7, 2019

Immunocytochemistry: Human Neural Stem Cells19:41

Immunocytochemistry: Human Neural Stem Cells

Published on: August 24, 2007

Related Concept Videos

Mesenchymal Stem Cells01:19

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...
Stem Cell Niche01:26

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
Embryonic Stem Cells00:58

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
Embryonic Stem Cells00:57

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...