Retinoids run rampant: multiple roles during spinal cord and motor neuron development.
Learning how the incredible diversity of neurons in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) is generated is a central focus of developmental neuroscience. Three studies in the September 25, 2003, issue of Neuron bring us closer to this goal by revealing how the interplay between Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), retinoic acid (RA), and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling regulate progression of spinal cord progenitor cells through various phases of development and specify particular types of spinal motor neurons (MNs).
Appel
Bruce
B
Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA. b.appel@vanderbilt.edu
Eisen
Judith S
JS
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D012176:Retinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D012176:Retinoids; D015534:Trans-Activators; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors