Neural Induction and Cellular Processes during Early Development Flashcards

1
Q

What is a morphogen?

A

Signalling molecule that produces specific molecular/cellular responses based on its concentration

Morphogens influence cell fate in a time and space-dependent manner.

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2
Q

Name three morphogens involved in Anterior-Posterior Nervous System Patterning.

A
  • Retinoic acid (RA)
  • Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)
  • Wnt

These morphogens play critical roles in the development of the nervous system.

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3
Q

What are the morphogens involved in Dorsal-Ventral Nervous System Patterning?

A
  • Bone morphogenic protein (BMP)
  • Noggin
  • Chordin
  • Sonic hedgehog (Shh)

BMP and its antagonists are crucial for establishing the dorsal-ventral axis.

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4
Q

What are organizers in the context of morphogens?

A

Small groups of cells that release patterning molecules (morphogens)

An example is the notochord, which is the first source of morphogens.

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5
Q

What role does the roof plate play in morphogen signaling?

A

Releases TGF-β family, BMPs, dorsalin, retinoic acid (RA), Noggin

The roof plate contributes to the dorsal-ventral patterning of the nervous system.

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6
Q

What is the function of the floorplate?

A

Secretes Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), retinoic acid (RA), Noggin, Chordin

The floorplate is crucial for the ventral patterning of the nervous system.

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7
Q

What is neurogenesis?

A

Birth of neurons from neural stem cells (NSCs)

Neurogenesis is primarily complete by birth, with exceptions in the SVZ and hippocampus.

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8
Q

What does the direction of the mitosis plane determine?

A

The type of cell division

The position of the mitotic spindle during mitosis influences whether the division is symmetric or asymmetric.

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9
Q

What happens during symmetric division?

A

Produces 2 identical cells (e.g., 2 neural epithelial cells or 2 radial glial cells)

This occurs before neurogenesis and contributes to pool expansion.

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10
Q

What characterizes asymmetric division?

A

Produces 2 different daughter cells (e.g., 1 radial glial cell + 1 neuron)

This leads to direct neurogenesis where the neuron does not divide again.

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11
Q

What is an intermediate progenitor cell (IPC)?

A

Progenitor that gives rise to a neuroblast, which then becomes a neuron

IPCs are not fully differentiated but are crucial in the neurogenesis process.

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12
Q

Describe the ‘inside-out’ manner of neuronal migration.

A

Deeper cortical layers are formed before more superficial ones

This pattern is observed during the development of the cortex.

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13
Q

What guidance mechanisms support neuronal migration?

A
  • Radial glial cells (RGCs)
  • ECM proteins (e.g., Reelin, Laminin)
  • Integrin, LIS1, Neuregulin

These factors help neurons migrate to their appropriate layers.

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14
Q

What is the post-natal GABA switch?

A

GABA initially acts as excitatory, then becomes inhibitory upon reaching the cortex

This switch is caused by changes in transporter expression affecting chloride levels.

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15
Q

What is gliogenesis in the developing brain?

A

The process of forming glial cells, such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells

Gliogenesis starts after neurogenesis and continues after birth.

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16
Q

Compare gliogenesis and neurogenesis.

A

Gliogenesis occurs later and is regulated differently than neurogenesis

Signalling and transcription factors determine cell fate in both processes.

17
Q

What is the role of astrocytes in astrogliogenesis?

A

Derived from astrocyte precursors that are influenced by negative proneural bHLHs and positive Notch/Nrg signals

This process is part of gliogenesis.

18
Q

What is myelination?

A

The process of forming a myelin sheath around neurons

Myelination starts soon after an increase in glial cell numbers and is rapid during the first year of life.

19
Q

Which pathways myelinate first during development?

A
  • Sensory pathways
  • Motor pathways
  • Association areas

This sequence reflects the developmental priorities of sensory and motor functions.

20
Q

Neurogenesis genes

A

neg. Notch, pos. bLHLH gene products -> neuronal precursors -> neurons

21
Q

Oligodendrogenesis genes

A

neg. Proneural bHLHs, pos. Olig ½ Nkx2.1 -> oligodendrocyte precursors -> oligodendrocytes

22
Q

“tangential” migration

A

interneurons from the subpallial embryonic region (MGE) undergo this migration to reach their appropriate layers in the cortex

During mid-gestation (week 20, early infancy/pregnancy) and early infancy

Guidance for migration:
- RGCs
- SDF1, Neuregulins

23
Q

RGCs (B cells)

A

generate neuroblasts that migrate in chains into the olfactory bulb, where they differentiate into interneurons

Migratory path = rostral migratory stream (RMS) more anteriorly

Astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and
ependymal cells also derive from RGCs

24
Q

Hox gene expression:

A

divides the CNS into segments. Much of the neural tube (hindbrain, spinal cord) becomes divided into neuromeres (segments).

-Dictated by Homeobox genes
-Organized into 4 clusters
-Temporal AND spatial (A→P)- specific expression
-Contributes to neuronal identity
-Conserved mechanism
-Each segment, cell identity is determined by morphogen concentration and which hox genes are turned on and off

25
Q

Somite

26
Q

Guidance for migration:

A
  • RGCs
  • ECM proteins (e.g. Reelin, Laminin);
    Integrin, LIS1, Neuregulin
27
Q

Post-natal GABA switch

A

In the embryonic brain: [Cl-]i is
relatively high, Cl- transport
dominated by NKCC1
- Depolarizing GABA: guides
proliferation, migration and
construction/maturation of circuits
* Post-natal: Cl-]i decreases, due to
increased expression and activity of
KCC2
- Hyperpolarizing GABA: fine-tunes
circuitry activity (e.g. increase
sensitivity to sensory input)

28
Q

neuroblasts and their migratory path

A

generated by RGCs (B cells), migrate in chains into the olfactory bulb,
where they differentiate into
interneurons

Migratory path = rostral migratory stream (RMS)

29
Q

radial glial cell shape

30
Q

order of differentiation

A

neuroepithelial cell -> radial glial cell -> neuron

31
Q

migratory path of RGC

A

rostral migratory stream (RMS) more anteriorly