title: A new view of early cortical development.
abstract: Recently, several genes that regulate the development of the cerebral cortex and are potential pharmacological targets have been cloned. Reelin, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein secreted by Cajal-Retzius cells in the marginal zone, instructs the radial organization of the cortical plate. The response of cortical plate cells to reelin requires the tyrosine kinase adaptor disabled-1 (Dab1). Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 and its activator p35 are necessary for the development of the cortical plate, probably at a later stage than reelin/Dab1. The transcription factor Tbr-1 is essential for differentiation of preplate and Cajal-Retzius cells and for formation of thalamocortical connections, while D1x-1/2 are required for tangential migration. Some neurotrophin systems such as neurotrophin 4, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neuregulin and its receptor ErbB are also thought to assist in the regulation of cortical development. In addition, a few genes implicated in human cortical dysplasias have been characterized. LIS1 encodes a protein related to platelet-activating factor acetyl hydrolase that is defective in lissencephaly-1 of the Miller-Dieker type, while the double cortex malformation is related to mutations of a new gene dubbed doublecortn.
authors.affiliation: Neurobiology Unit, University of Namur School of Medicine, Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lambert de Rouvroit
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Goffinet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D051379:Mice; D008818:Mice, Neurologic Mutants; D008959:Models, Neurological; D000091042:Reelin Protein; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D000091042:Reelin Protein; D014157:Transcription Factors; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases; C000717127:RELN protein, human; C000717128:Reln protein, mouse