Live view of gonadotropin-releasing hormone containing neuron migration.
Neurons that synthesize GnRH control the reproductive axis and migrate over long distances and through different environments during development. Prior studies provided strong clues for the types of molecules encountered and movements expected along the migratory route. However, our studies provide the first real-time views of the behavior of GnRH neurons in the context of an in vitro preparation that maintains conditions comparable to those in vivo. The live views provide direct evidence of the changing behavior of GnRH neurons in their different environments, showing that GnRH neurons move with greater frequency and with more changes in direction after they enter the brain. Perturbations of guiding fibers distal to moving GnRH neurons in the nasal compartment influenced movement without detectable changes in the fibers in the immediate vicinity of moving GnRH neurons. This suggests that the use of fibers by GnRH neurons for guidance may entail selective signaling in addition to mechanical guidance. These studies establish a model to evaluate the influences of specific molecules that are important for their migration.
The Shriver Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Waltham, Massachusetts 02254, USA.
Elizabeth P
EP
Bless
Heather J
HJ
Walker
Kwok W
KW
Yu
J Gabriel
JG
Knoll
Suzanne M
SM
Moenter
Gerald A
GA
Schwarting
Stuart A
SA
Tobet
D000818:Animals; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology; D002465:Cell Movement; D048430:Cell Shape; D003199:Computer Systems; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000196:embryology; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009666:Nose / Q000196:embryology; D016707:Tissue Fixation
D018756:GABA Antagonists; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D001640:Bicuculline