Cell adhesion molecule L1 affects the rate of differentiation of enteric neurons in the developing gut.
The enteric nervous system arises predominantly from vagal level neural crest cells that migrate into and along the developing gut. As the neural crest-derived cells migrate within the gut, a subpopulation begins to differentiate into enteric neurons. Here, we show that the differentiation of neural crest-derived cells into enteric neurons is delayed in L1-deficient mice, compared with littermate controls. However, glial cell differentiation is not affected in L1-deficient mice. These mice also show a delay in the differentiation of a neurotransmitter-specific subtype of enteric neuron within the gastrointestinal tract. Together, these results suggest a role for the cell adhesion molecule, L1, in the differentiation of neural crest-derived cells into enteric neurons within the developing enteric nervous system.
Turner
Kirsty N
KN
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Schachner
Melitta
M
Anderson
Richard B
RB
D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004064:Digestive System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D051379:Mice; D039842:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D039842:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule L1