neural tube and crest formation Flashcards
what is the default fate of the ectoderm
to become neural tissue
how does the neural ectoderm get specified
as the organiser develops in the dorsal mesoderm (beta catenin) the mesodermal cells of the organiser release chordin noggin and follistatin to act dorsally and block BMPs interactions with their receptors - this specifies the dorsal part to neural ectoderm
how does TGF-beta (a BMP) signal via its two receptors
TGF-beta binds to a TGF-β type II receptor (serine/threonine receptor kinase) which forms a dimer with the type 1 receptors and the kinase phosphorylates the type 1 receptor. This allows downstream phosphorylation of cytoplasmic SMAD proteins after which the complex can enter the nucleus and regulate transcription of target genes
when does neural tube formation happen in an amphibian embryo
Happens at the end of gastrulation – it is a dynamic process so it initiates even before gastrulation.
briefly describe how the neural tube forms
Thickening and elongation of neural plate. See formation of neural folds. During primary neuralation the neural plate will bend to help bring together the neural folds which elevate and converse towards each other to close the neural tube and separate it from the neural ectoderm
what does the notochord become in humans
the vertebral column
what happens when you apply morpholinos against the three BMP inhibitors chordin noggin and follistatin in an embryo
lack of neural tube and sox2 expression
what happens when embryos are treated with antisense morpholinos that destroy BMPs 2, 4, and 7
the neural tube is greatly enlarged
if inactivate you get complete transformation of entire ectoderm into neural ectoderm
BMP at high, moderate and low levels in the ectoderm become what three tissues
BMP levels high - surface ectoderm
BMP levels moderate - neural crest
BMP levels low - neural plate/tube
at gastrulation where does noggin mRNA accumulate and what does it do
accumulates in the dorsal marginal zone.
then as cells involute it is in the dorsal blastopore lip
what does noggin primarily do in the amphibian embryo
dorsalises it
in a chick embryo when does neurulation occur
at about 24 hours -a long with gastrulation The cephalic (head) region has undergone neurulation The caudal (tail) region is still undergoing gastrulation
what direction does neurulation proceed in
Proceeds in anterior to posterior
where do the neural folds form
at the medial hinge points
apical constriction of these cells
how can cells of the neural plate be distinguished from other cells in the dorsal region of the ectoderm
they are elongated
describe the process of neural tube formation
Folding begins as the medial hinge point (MHP) cells anchor to the notochord and change their shape while the presumptive epidermal cells move toward the dorsal midline.
The neural folds are elevated as the presumptive epidermis continues to move toward the dorsal midline. Asymmetric constriction of actin on the apical side changes cell shapes to promote MHP bending.
Convergence of the neural folds occurs as the cells at the dorsolateral hinge point (DLHP) become wedge-shaped and the epidermal cells push toward the center. Similar apical constriction occurs at both DLHP.
The neural folds are brought into contact with one another. The neural crest cells disperse, leaving the neural tube separate from the epidermis
what leads to neural tube defects (eg failure to close neural tube)
activated BMP signalling (eg loss of noggin)
what stops formation of more hinge points
SHH inhibitory effect on noggin
what allows formation of the apical constriction at dorsal lateral hinge points (DLHP)
the shh inhibitory gradient ascending from the floor plate controls the expression of noggin so that its action is not as effective at the dorsal end and noggin can inhibit BMPs and cause apical constriction of the cells forming the two DLHP
apical constriction only occurs in cells experiencing….
… low enough concentrations of both BMP (MHP and DLHP) and Shh (DLHP)
what induces medial hinge point morphology
lack of BMPs and additional signals form the notochord
describe how dosage of BMP signalling is important for hinge point formation
High levels of BMP signalling inhibit MHP formation while low levels (inhibition) promotes excessive folding at the midline