QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s):
Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents

First published online August 24, 2007

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in Development Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

BMPed away from a neural fate

Two main models have been proposed for neural induction in embryos. In the `default' model, BMP signalling prevents the default, neural differentiation of ectodermal cells. Thus, when BMP signalling is inhibited, no other signal is needed to send these cells down the neural pathway. However, some experiments, particularly in chick embryos, suggest that neural induction also requires FGF signalling. Now, on p. 3359, Di-Gregorio and colleagues report that in the mouse epiblast, loss of BMP signalling is sufficient for neural induction. By examining mice null for Bmpr1a, the only type I BMP receptor expressed in the epiblast, the researchers show that BMP2/4 signalling inhibits neural differentiation in the epiblast before gastrulation, in part by maintaining Nodal signalling. During gastrulation, BMP7 also helps to maintain the pluripotency of the epiblast. However, inhibition of FGF signalling in post-implantation mouse embryos does not block neural specification. The researchers conclude, therefore, that inhibition of BMP signalling is the critical event required for neural induction in mammals.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

Related articles in Development:

BMP signalling inhibits premature neural differentiation in the mouse embryo

Aida Di-Gregorio, Margarida Sancho, Daniel W. Stuckey, Lucy A. Crompton, Jonathan Godwin, Yuji Mishina, and Tristan A. Rodriguez
Development 2007 134: 3359-3369. [Abstract] [Full Text]  

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Related articles in Development Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?