PMID: 7538865Jan 1, 1995Paper

Neuronal excitability is induced by cell-cell interactions during early embryogenesis

Perspectives on Developmental Neurobiology
K Takahashi, Y Okamura

Abstract

Neural induction in vertebrate embryos has been mainly studied in multicellular systems composed of pieces excised from ectoderm and mesoderm of amphibian embryos. A simple model system for neural induction has been established from the cleavage-arrested 8-cell ascidian embryo by pairing a single ectodermal with a single vegetal blastomere, as a competent and a inducer cell, respectively. This induction, mediated by specific cell contact, can be mimicked by treating with serine protease. In this simple model system, the turnover of subtypes of Na+ channels occurs, dependent on new transcriptional activities after neural induction. A cloned ascidian Na+ channel gene, TuNa I, is especially useful for analysis of the neural induction on the gene regulation level, and can serve as a specific marker for neuronal differentiation in the ascidian tadpole larva. In contrast to Na+ channels, transcription of inward rectifier K+ channels is suppressed immediately after neural induction. Since the inward rectifier is one of several genes expressed early in epidermal cells, we conclude that the inductive signal not only enhances the transcription of neural characters, but also suppresses that of non-neural characters.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
Y OkamuraK Takahashi
The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
F OnoY Okamura
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved