Expression of EphA receptors and ligands during chick cerebellar development.
The cerebellum is a modular structure that integrates information in a topographical manner. The membrane receptors of the Eph family and their ligands play important roles in early regionalization, as well as in the formation of topographic connections of the nervous system. Here, we show that the expression of the Eph receptors -A4 and -A7, and of their ligands ephrin-A5 and -A2 correlates with the establishment of territories along the rostro-caudal axis and with the formation of topographically organized connections between the cortex and the cerebellar nuclei. While some sites where co-expression of receptors and ligands are evident, their relative expression mainly define sharp limits along the rostro-caudal axis and, at later stages, complementary gradients in the Purkinje cell layer and the deep cerebellar nuclei.
Blanco
Maria J
MJ
Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Doctor Arce, 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain.
Peña-Melián
Angel
A
Nieto
M Angela
MA
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000196:embryology; D002642:Chick Embryo; D015870:Gene Expression; D008024:Ligands; D036104:Receptor, EphA2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D036122:Receptor, EphA4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D036123:Receptor, EphA5 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D036141:Receptor, EphA7 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013997:Time Factors
D008024:Ligands; D036104:Receptor, EphA2; D036122:Receptor, EphA4; D036123:Receptor, EphA5; D036141:Receptor, EphA7