UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Ventral midline neuroectoderm development along the anteroposterior axis of the vertebrate embryo

Dale, Jacqueline Kim; (1997) Ventral midline neuroectoderm development along the anteroposterior axis of the vertebrate embryo. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D.), University College London (United Kingdom). Green open access

[thumbnail of Ventral_midline_neuroectoderm_.pdf] Text
Ventral_midline_neuroectoderm_.pdf

Download (13MB)

Abstract

During embryonic development the nervous system becomes patterned as a series of inductive interactions occurs, such that distinct cell populations differentiate at different positions within the neural tube. Previous studies have shown that in posterior regions of the central nervous system (CNS), floor plate cells at the ventral midline play an important role in organising adjacent tissue. I have investigated the development of ventral midline neuroectoderm cells along the anteroposterior axis of neurula stage rat and chick embryos and found that they are heterogeneous, posterior ventral midline floor plate cells are distinct from rostral diencephalic ventral midline (RDVM) cells. To understand the basis for this heterogeneity I have examined the spatial relationship of ventral midline cells of the CNS with respect to underlying axial mesodermal cells. Posterior floor plate cells are underlain by notochord, while RDVM cells are underlain by prechordal mesoderm. Previous studies have shown that notochord can induce floor plate cells. I have examined the inductive potential of prechordal mesoderm, and compared it to that of notochord, by analysing the induction of midline markers in neural plate tissue in vitro, using immunocytochemistry or in situ hybridisation techniques. My results reveal that, whereas notochord induces floor plate differentiation, prechordal mesoderm induces RDVM cells. Thus, axial mesoderm at different anteroposterior levels has distinct inducing properties. Recent studies have suggested that expression of the signalling molecule sonic hedgehog (SHH), by notochord cells, mediates its ability to induce floor plate differentiation. Since SHH is also expressed by prechordal mesoderm, I have analysed the requirement for SHH signalling in the differentiation of RDVM cells. Experiments using function-blocking antibodies to SHH-N suggest that SHH expression by prechordal mesoderm is necessary for its inducing activity. Moreover, experiments using purified SHH-N alone, suggest that RDVM cells are induced by a concentration of SHH two-fold higher than that required to induce floor plate cells. However, prechordal mesoderm does not appear to express higher levels of SHH than notochord. Together these studies suggest the presence of a second molecule that is restricted to anterior axial mesoderm and that modulates SHH signalling by prechordal mesoderm.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Qualification: Ph.D.
Title: Ventral midline neuroectoderm development along the anteroposterior axis of the vertebrate embryo
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
Additional information: Thesis digitised by ProQuest.
Keywords: (UMI)AAI10045782; Biological sciences; Health and environmental sciences; Anteroposterior axis; Developmental nuerobiology; Ventral midline neuroectoderm; Vertebrate embryo
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10103993
Downloads since deposit
19Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item