Activin A inhibits Pax-6 expression and perturbs cell differentiation in the developing spinal cord in vitro.
We have developed an in vitro model of the isolated chicken neural plate. Here we demonstrate that even in the absence of notochord, the neural plate rapidly develops a typical dorsoventral patterning. This observation suggests that the ventral cell types are specified or at least predetermined prior to notochord formation and that permissive conditions are sufficient for differentiation of ventral structures. Treatment of the neural plate with activin A extinguishes Pax-6 gene expression, whereas the dorsal markers Pax-3 and Pax-7 are still expressed. The absence of Pax-6 transcripts can be correlated with an impeded differentiation of the motor neurons, whereas the floor plate seems to be enlarged. We propose that the region-specific expression of Pax-6 in the spinal cord is under the control of activin-like molecules.
Pituello
F
F
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.
Yamada
G
G
Gruss
P
P
D028341:Activins; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004627:Embryonic Induction; D005136:Eye Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007265:Inhibins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D000072041:PAX3 Transcription Factor; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051763:PAX7 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000196:embryology*; D014157:Transcription Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005136:Eye Proteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000072041:PAX3 Transcription Factor; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051763:PAX7 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; C000605732:Pax6 protein, mouse; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D028341:Activins; C068686:Pax3 protein, mouse; D007265:Inhibins