Cell death in early neural development: beyond the neurotrophic theory.
The important effect of cell death on projecting neurons during development is well established. However, this mainstream research might have diverted recognition of the cell death that occurs at earlier stages of neural development, affecting proliferating neural precursor cells and young neuroblasts. In this article, we briefly present observations supporting the occurrence of programmed cell death during early neural development in a regulated fashion that to some extent parallels the death of projecting neurons lacking neurotrophic support. These findings raise new questions, in particular the magnitude and the role of this early neural cell death.
de la Rosa
E J
EJ
Dept of Cell and Developmental Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Velázquez 144, E-28006, Madrid, Spain.
de Pablo
F
F
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D002642:Chick Embryo; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology
C506592:APAF1 protein, human; C506593:Apaf1 protein, mouse; D053477:Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1; D006133:Growth Substances; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011506:Proteins; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; C506433:CASP9 protein, human; C505409:Casp3 protein, mouse; C506434:Casp9 protein, mouse; D053148:Caspase 3; D053453:Caspase 9; D020169:Caspases