Patterning in Vertebrate Development

by Tickle, Cheryll

• ISBN13: 9780199638697
• ISBN10: 0199638691
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-20
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

One of the most fascinating problems in biology is how a single cell, the fertilised egg, gives rise to a new individual. The fertilised egg divides many times to form an embryo. This volume in the Frontiers in Molecular Biology series discusses the methods by which cells in distinct regions of an embryo become different, a process known as patterning. Patterning is fundamental to establishing the spatial organisation of the developing embryo. It ensures that all the parts of the body are generated and that they form in exactly the right places. The ultimate in patterning is the formation of precise arrangements of specialised cells and tissues within each organ. Understanding the process of patterning during the embryonic development of vertebrates is a particular challenge for developmental biologists because vertebrates have an intricate and complex anatomy and histology. The first two chapters of Patterning in Vertebrate Development are introductory, explaining to the reader the general principles of vertebrate patterning and early embryology. The subsequent chapters address patterning in both nervous system and specific parts of the body. Each chapter provides a detailed review of current research in a specific area of interest. These include topics such as neural specification, antero-posterior patterning of the neural tube, and molecular basis of vertebrate limb development. Throughout the volume, examples are drawn from a number of species, and particular emphasis is placed on recent discoveries about the molecular basis of patterning in vertebrates. The book concludes with a chapter which revisits many of the regions of the embryo previously discussed from an evolutionary perspective.

Author Biography

Professor Cheryll Tickle is a fellow of the Royal Society (FRS FRSE) and a member of the Editorial Board of Differentiation and the Journal of Anatomy. Some of the other contributing authors are senior figures in the field, others are younger scientists

Table of Contents

List of contributors	xi
List of plates	xiii
Abbreviations	xv
Patterning and positional information	1	(9)
L. Wolpert
M. Kerzberg
Introduction	1	(1)
Positional information	1	(3)
Interpretation of positional information	4	(6)
Introduction	4	(1)
Prepattern mechanisms	5	(1)
Insect development	6	(2)
Evolution and pattern	8	(1)
References	8	(2)
Laying down the vertebrate body plan	10	(14)
C. Tickle
M. Davey
Introduction	10	(1)
Xenopus early development illustrates the general principles	11	(4)
Chick, mouse, and zebrafish development	15	(6)
Early stages in chick, mouse, and zebrafish development	15	(3)
Relationship between the polarity of egg and embryo in chicks, mice, and zebrafish	18	(2)
Gastrulation in chick, mouse, and zebrafish	20	(1)
Conclusions	21	(3)
Acknowledgements	22	(1)
References	22	(2)
Patterning the Xenopus embryo	24	(24)
J. C. Smith
R. White
Introduction	24	(1)
From oocyte to egg: establishing the animal--vegetal axis	25	(1)
Localized RNAs	25	(1)
Fertilization: establishing the dorsoventral axis	26	(2)
Cortical rotation	26	(1)
The β-catenin pathway	26	(2)
Mesoderm induction: realizing the animal--vegetal axis	28	(5)
Cleavage divisions in Xenopus	28	(1)
Mesoderm induction	29	(1)
Mesoderm-inducing factors	29	(1)
Concentration-dependent effects of inducing factors	30	(1)
The functions of mesoderm-specific genes: Brachyury targets	31	(2)
Dorsalization: realizing the dorsoventral axis	33	(4)
Goosecoid, siamois, and twin	34	(1)
Xnr3	35	(1)
Inhibitors of BMP and Wnt signalling	35	(2)
Conclusions	37	(11)
Acknowledgements	38	(1)
References	38	(10)
Somite and axial development in vertebrates	48	(42)
Clementine Hofmann
Introduction	48	(1)
Morphogenesis: development of the skeleton	49	(4)
Establishing the primary body axis: from primitive streak to somites	49	(2)
Constructing the vertebral column: differentiation of somites into dermomyotome and sclerotome	51	(1)
Differentiation and maturation: from sclerotomes to vertebrae, from cartilage to bone	52	(1)
Patterning the vertebral column: signalling molecules and molecular responses	53	(37)
Growth factors, signalling molecules, and transcription factors in paraxial mesoderm formation	53	(3)
Segmentation of paraxial mesoderm into somites	56	(8)
Signalling molecules in somite patterning and differentiation	64	(7)
Hox genes in anteroposterior specification along the axis	71	(5)
Acknowledgements	76	(1)
References	76	(14)
Vertebrate neurogenesis	90	(24)
Kate G. Storey
Introduction	90	(1)
Tissue sources of neural inducing signals	91	(1)
Neural competence	92	(1)
Candidate neural inducers and the default model of neural induction	93	(4)
Early responses to neural inducing signals and the neural precursor cell state	97	(1)
Assignment of neural cell fate in Drosophila	98	(2)
Vertebrate proneural gene homologues	100	(1)
The regulation of neuron production by Notch/Delta signalling	101	(2)
Neurogenesis and regional identity	103	(1)
Themes and future perspectives	104	(10)
Acknowledgements	105	(1)
References	105	(9)
Anteroposterior regionalization of the vertebrate nervous system	114	(24)
Anthony Graham
Ivor Mason
Introduction	114	(1)
Initial anteroposterior regionalization of the neural primordium	114	(1)
Patterning the forebrain	114	(3)
Patterning the midbrain	117	(2)
Patterning the hindbrain	119	(3)
Influence of the isthmus on the anterior hindbrain	122	(6)
Patterning the spinal cord	128	(1)
Conclusions	129	(9)
Acknowledgements	130	(1)
References	131	(7)
Axon guidance in the developing vertebrate nervous system	138	(28)
Sarah Guthrie
Differentiation and axonogenesis	138	(1)
Axon guidance	139	(1)
Axon guidance molecules	140	(3)
Axon guidance in the CNS	143	(9)
Guidance at the midline of the central nervous system	143	(3)
Formation of sensory and motor pathways to and from the spinal cord and brainstem	146	(4)
Axon guidance within the visual system	150	(2)
Signal transduction systems for axon guidance	152	(4)
Modulation of ligand and receptor function	152	(1)
Signal transduction pathways	153	(2)
Calcium and cAMP in growth cones	155	(1)
Conclusions and future directions	156	(10)
References	157	(9)
Patterning of the neural crest	166	(32)
C. A. Erickson
Introduction	166	(1)
Migration of melanoblasts: is the exception really the rule?	167	(6)
Evidence for cell-autonomous pathfinding of melanoblasts	167	(1523)
What molecular properties allow melanoblasts to access the dorsolateral path?	1690
When and how is the melanoblast lineage specified?	171	(1)
Mistakes will be made!	172	(1)
Patterning along the ventral pathway	173	(14)
Migration through the somite	175	(3)
Dorsal migration through the somite	178	(2)
Control of lineage segregation and migratory behaviour on the ventral path	180	(7)
Patterning of the cranial neural crest	187	(11)
Acknowledgements	188	(1)
References	189	(9)
Insights into the molecular basis of vertebrate forelimb and hindlimb identity	198	(16)
Yasuhiko Kawakami
Tohru Tsukui
Jennifer K. NG
Juan Carlos Izpisua-Belmonte
Introduction	198	(1)
Morphological differences	198	(4)
Molecular differences	202	(2)
Classical tissue-graft experiments updated	204	(1)
Roles of Pitx1, Tbx4, and Tbx5 in limb identity	205	(3)
Conclusions	208	(6)
Acknowledgements	210	(1)
References	210	(4)
Evolutionary aspects of vertebrate patterning	214	(19)
Sebastian M. Shimeld
Introduction	214	(1)
The relationship between evolution and development	214	(1)
Concepts and definitions	215	(1)
The origin of vertebrates	215	(8)
The chordate bodyplan and conserved features of chordate patterning	215	(3)
Molecular evolution of developmental genes in early vertebrate evolution	218	(2)
Evolution of vertebrate characters: neural crest, placodes, and endoskeleton	220	(3)
Major transitions in vertebrate evolution	223	(3)
The origin of paired fins	223	(1)
The origin of the tetrapod limb	224	(1)
The evolution of jaws and modification of the branchial arches	225	(1)
Hox genes and the modification of axial skeletal regionalization	226	(1)
Summary and conclusions	227	(6)
References	228	(5)
Index	233