title: Control of cell pattern in the neural tube: regulation of cell differentiation by dorsalin-1, a novel TGF beta family member.
abstract: Distinct cell types differentiate along the dorsoventral axis of the neural tube. We have cloned and characterized a novel member of the TGF beta gene family, dorsalin-1 (dsl-1), that appears to regulate cell differentiation within the neural tube. dsl-1 is expressed selectively in the dorsal neural tube, and its pattern of expression appears to be restricted by early signals from the notochord. Exposure of neural plate cells to dsl-1 promotes the differentiation of cells with neural crest-like properties and inhibits the induction of motor neurons by signals from the notochord and floor plate. These findings suggest that dsl-1 regulates the differentiation of cell types along the dorsoventral axis of the neural tube, acting in conjunction with distinct ventralizing signals from the notochord and floor plate.
authors.affiliation: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Basler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Edlund
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Jessell
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002642:Chick Embryo; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000196:embryology*; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology; D009672:Notochord / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C081351:dorsalin 1 protein, Gallus gallus; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors