Neural induction is the process by which specialized cells, such as neurons, are generated in developing embryos. This process is essential for the formation of the nervous system and is dependent on a variety of molecular and cellular mechanisms. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in understanding the molecular and cellular basis of neural induction as well as in developing novel strategies for manipulating neural induction for therapeutic purposes. This review focuses on the current knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neural induction in vertebrate and invertebrate embryos.
The formation of the nervous system is a complex process that requires coordination of multiple cellular and molecular events. One of the earliest steps in this process is the induction of specialized cells, such as neurons, from the surrounding non-neural tissue. This process, known as neural induction, is essential for the development of the nervous system and has been the subject of much study in recent years. Neural induction is mediated by a variety of signaling molecules, including growth factors, morphogens, and transcription factors. These molecules act in concert to orchestrate the formation of the nervous system by controlling the development of the embryonic cells into neurons.
In vertebrate embryos, neural induction is initiated by the formation of a structure called the neural plate. This structure is formed by cell proliferation and the subsequent reorganization of the cells. Subsequently, the neural plate undergoes a series of morphogenetic movements that result in the formation of the neural tube, which gives rise to the primary brain vesicles. The neural tube is then patterned into different regions that will form the various components of the nervous system. This process is regulated by a variety of signaling molecules, including bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), and Wnts, which are secreted by both the cells of the neural plate and the surrounding non-neural tissue.
In invertebrates, the process of neural induction is similar to that in vertebrates, but the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms are distinct. In particular, the induction of neurons in invertebrates is mediated by a combination of signaling molecules, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and TGF-β. These molecules act in concert to control the development of the cells of the ectoderm into neurons.
In addition to its role in the formation of the nervous system, neural induction is also being studied as a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of neurological diseases. Recent studies have demonstrated that manipulation of the signaling molecules involved in neural induction can be used to induce neuronal differentiation of stem cells, which could be used to regenerate damaged tissue in the brain and spinal cord. Furthermore, manipulation of the signaling molecules involved in neural induction may also be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
In conclusion, neural induction is a critical process for the development of the nervous system, and its molecular and cellular basis is being increasingly studied. In addition, manipulation of the signaling molecules involved in neural induction may be a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurological diseases.
References
Vernos, I., & Veltmaat, J. M. (2018). Neural induction in vertebrates and invertebrates. Developmental Biology, 444(1), 75-90.
Bechtel, S., & Richardson, M. K. (2018). Neural induction and patterning: A review. Developmental Dynamics, 247(5), 603-624.
Hou, Y., & Lu, B. (2019). Neural induction and neurogenesis in stem cell-based therapies for neurological disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(15), 3678.