Expression of N-CAM precedes neural induction in Pleurodeles waltl (urodele, amphibian)

Development ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 106 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P. Saint-Jeannet ◽  
F. Foulquier ◽  
C. Goridis ◽  
A.M. Duprat
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Neural Induction ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Pleurodeles Waltl ◽  
Early Gastrula

The appearance and localization of N-CAM during neural induction were studied in Pleurodeles waltl embryos and compared with recent contradictory results reported in Xenopus laevis. A monoclonal antibody raised against mouse N-CAM was used. In the nervous system of Pleurodeles, it recognized two glycoproteins of 180 and 140×10(3) M(r) which are the Pleurodeles equivalent of N-CAM-180 and -140. Using this probe for immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, we showed that N-CAM was already expressed in presumptive ectoderm at the early gastrula stage. In late gastrula embryos, a slight increase in staining was observed in the neurectoderm, whereas the labelling persisted in the noninduced ectoderm. When induced ectodermal cells were isolated at the late gastrula stage and cultured in vitro up to 14 days, a faint polarized labelling of cells was observed initially. During differentiation, the staining increased and became progressively restricted to differentiating neurons.

Expression of tenascin in response to neural induction in amphibian embryos

Development ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 511-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-F. Riou ◽  
D.-L. Shi ◽  
M. Chiquet ◽  
J.-C. Boucaut
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Neural Induction ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Directed Cell Migration ◽  
Pleurodeles Waltl ◽  
Migration Pathways ◽  
Early Gastrula

The expression of tenascin, a constituent of extracellular matrix (ECM), was studied during the embryonic development of the amphibian Pleurodeles waltl. An antiserum to chick fibroblast tenascin was shown to cross-react with the homologous molecule of the amphibian. Immunostaining of embryo sections with anti-tenascin antiserum revealed that tenascin appears just after the completion of neurulation. At the tailbud stage, tenascin is present in the ECM located at sites of directed cell migration (neural crest cell migration pathways, extension of the pronephretic duct) and mesenchyme condensation (endocardium, aortic arches). The accumulation of tenascin immunoreactivity in the embryonic ECM is correlated with the synthesis of the 220×103Mr polypeptide of the molecule. To provide data on the patterning of tenascin, ectoderm and dorsal blastoporal lip isolated at early gastrula stage were cultured for a period of 3 days. Epidermal vesicles differentiating from isolated ectoderm completely lack tenascin. Conversely, axial mesoderm derivatives present in cultured dorsal blastoporal lip were found to produce tenascin. Neural induction of ectoderm isolated at early gastrula stage was performed in vitro with the dorsal blastoporal lip or concanavalin A. The induced neural tissue was found to accumulate tenascin. Spemann experiments confirmed in vivo that tenascin is expressed by ectodermal cells as a response to neural induction.

Initiation of mesodermal cell migration and spreading relative to gastrulation in the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl

Development ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.-L. Shi ◽  
T. Darribere ◽  
K.E. Johnson ◽  
J.-C. Boucaut
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Marginal Zone ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Cell Stage ◽  
Animal Pole ◽  
Mesodermal Cell ◽  
Marginal Cells ◽  
Pleurodeles Waltl ◽  
Early Gastrula

We have investigated the autonomous migration of marginal cells and their interactions with extracellular matrix (ECM) located on the inner surface of the blastocoel roof in the urodele amphibian, Pleurodeles waltl, using a novel in vitro migration assay. Animal hemispheres containing equatorial cells removed at different cleavage stages and dorsal marginal zone (DMZ) explants of early gastrula stage were cultured either on fibronectin (FN)-coated or ECM-conditioned substrata. In explanted animal hemispheres, dorsal marginal cells showed autonomous migration on FN-coated substratum at the same time as the onset of gastrulation in control embryos. They acquired this capacity at least at the 32-cell stage, whereas lateral and ventral marginal cells acquired it after the 64-cell stage. DMZ outgrowths of early gastrula stage exhibited autonomous spreading on both substrata. In addition, we showed that they spread preferentially toward the animal pole when deposited on substratum conditioned by the dorsal roof of the blastocoel. By culturing dissociated marginal cells on ECM- conditioned substratum, we also found that increased spreading capacity of marginal cells was related to the initiation of their migration. A comparative study of the migration of marginal cells in ultraviolet (u.v.)-irradiated and normal embryos was also made. The results indicate that dorsal marginal cell migration was absent or dramatically reduced by u.v.-irradiation. These results suggest that the differential acquisition in the spreading capacity both in timing and in intensity around the marginal zone was correlated with the sequential involution of mesodermal cells in the course of gastrulation.

Neural induction and the structure of the target cell surface

Development ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-187
Author(s):  
A. M. Duprat ◽  
L. Gualandris ◽  
P. Rouge
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Neural Induction ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Similar Treatment ◽  
Structural Modifications ◽  
Pleurodeles Waltl

Lectins (SBA and PSA) were used to provoke crowding and structural modifications of the presumptive ectoderm cell surface in order to investigate the role of the membrane organization of the competent target cells in neural induction. Are specific characteristics of the cell surface essential for this phenomenon to occur? From amphibian gastrulae, it is possible to obtain neural induction in vitro by association of presumptive ectoderm (target cells) with chordamesoderm (inductor tissue): 4 h of contact is sufficient in Pleurodeles waltl for transmission of the inductive signal. Very quickly, the treatment of the normal ectoderm by lectins (SBA-FITC or PSA-FITC) provoked surface modifications. Lectin-treatment (50 µg ml1−, 30 min) of presumptive ectoderm did not result in any neural induction. Lectin-treatment (50 µg ml1−, 30 min) of presumptive ectoderm previous to its association with the natural inductor for 4 h, disturbed the phenomenon: no induction. Similar treatment followed by association with the inductor for 24 h: induction. Treatment of SBA or PSA with their respective hapten inhibitors prior to addition to ectodermal cells completely blocked the suppressive effects on induction. The structural integrity of the membrane of competent target cells is necessary for neural induction to occur. The cell membrane could thus play, directly or indirectly, an active role in the specificity of this process

Neural induction: embryonic determination elicits full expression of specific neuronal traits

Development ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 89 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 167-183
Author(s):  
A. M. Duprat ◽  
P. Kan ◽  
L. Gualandris ◽  
F. Foulquier ◽  
J. Marty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Induction ◽  
Morphological Differentiation ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
Neuronal Markers ◽  
Toxin Binding ◽  
Neurofilament Polypeptides ◽  
Pleurodeles Waltl ◽  
High Degree

In Pleurodeles waltl, the early neuronal differentiation of precursor cells from late gastrula stage has been studied by culture in vitro from either isolated neural plate (NP) or isolated neural fold (NF). The aim of this study was to delineate the information acquired by ectodermal target cells during neural induction. By culturing these cells in vitro either with or without the underlying chordamesoderm, we showed that in the absence of chordamesodermal influence such NP or NF cells exhibited a high degree of biochemical and morphological differentiation as revealed by the synthesis and the storage of neurotransmitters, the activity of specific enzymes, as well as by the expression of neuronal markers: specific changes in cell surface carbohydrates, tetanus toxin binding sites and neurofilament polypeptides. Remarkable changes in the cell adhesive properties were the first events observed in the different central (NP) and peripheral (NF) types. In cocultures the chordamesodermal cells exert a beneficial influence on this differentiation, specially increasing acetylcholine synthesis. There are some differences between central (NP) or peripheral (NF) neuroblast response to this further notochord or mesodermal influence.

The effect of egg rotation on the differentiation of primordial germ cells in Xenopus laevis

Development ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-99
Author(s):  
J. H. Cleine ◽  
K. E. Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Germ Plasm ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Intermediate Zone ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Tail Bud ◽  
Axis Orientation ◽  
Early Gastrula ◽  
Number Of Cells

Eggs of X. laevis were rotated (sperm entrance point downwards) either through 90° (1×90 embryos) or 180° in two 90° steps (2×90 embryos) at approximately 25–30 min postfertilization after cooling to 13°C. The embryos were kept in their off-axis orientation and cooled until the early gastrula stage. Rotation resulted in relocation of egg constituents with slight changes in the distribution of outer cortical and subcortical components and major changes in inner constituents where the heavy yolk and cytoplasm appeared to reorient as a single coherent unit to maintain their relative positions with respect to gravity. Development of rotated embryos was such that regions of the egg which normally give rise to posterior structures instead developed into anterior structures and vice versa. Germ plasm was displaced in the vegetal-dorsal-animal direction (the direction of rotation) and was segregated into dorsal micromeres and intermediate zone cells in 2×90 embryos and dorsal macromeres and intermediate zone cells in 1×90 embryos. In consequence, at the gastrula stage, cells containing germ plasm were situated closer to the dorsal lip of the blastopore after rotation — in 2×90 gastrulas around and generally above the dorsal lip. Hence, in rotated embryos, the cells containing germ plasm were invaginated earlier during gastrulation and therefore were carried further anteriorly in the endoderm to a mean position anterior to the midpoint of the endoderm. The number of cells containing germ plasm in rotated embryos was not significantly different from that in controls at all stages up to and including tail bud (stage 25). However at stages 46, 48 and 49 the number of primordial germ cells was reduced in 1×90 embryos in one experiment of three and in 2×90 embryos in all experiments. We tested the hypothesis that the decreased number of primordial germ cells in the genital ridges was due to the inability of cells to migrate to the genital ridges from their ectopic location in the endoderm. When anterior endoderm was grafted into posterior endodermal regions the number of primordial germ cells increased slightly or not at all suggesting that the anterior displacement of the cells containing germ plasm was not the only factor responsible for the decreased number of primordial germ cells in rotated embryos. Other possible explanations are discussed.

Circus movements and blebbing locomotion in dissociated embryonic cells of an amphibian, Xenopus laevis

1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-583
Author(s):  
K.E. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Cell Contact ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Isolated Cells ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Cytoplasmic Protrusion ◽  
Endodermal Cells ◽  
In Cells

Circus movements, which involve the circumferential rotation of a hyaline cytoplasmic protrusion, occur in cells obtained by EDTA dissociation of gastrula-stage Xenopus laevis embryos. Only a few dissociated blastula-stage cells show circus movements, more early gastrula-stage cells show them, and nearly all late gastrula-stage cells show them. Circus movements cease in cells prior to mitosis and begin again in daughter cells after mitosis is completed. In early gastrulae, only 17% of prospective endodermal cells show circus movements while 79% of prospective mesodern, archenteric roof, and posterior neural ectoderm do so. Isolated cells as well as groups of cells in vitro are often propelled by circus movements. There is an obvious antagonism between cell contact and circus movements. The morphogenetic significance of circus movements and blebbing locomotion is discussed.

Membrane changes in neural target cells studied with fluorescent lectin probes

Development ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 183-200
Author(s):  
L. Gualandris ◽  
P. Rougé ◽  
A. M. Duprat
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Neural Induction ◽  
Internal Surface ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Molecular Configuration ◽  
Lectin Receptors ◽  
Molecular Arrangement ◽  
Cell Layers ◽  
Pleurodeles Waltl

The competent ectoderm of Pleurodeles waltl comprises two cell layers with characteristic differences in their morphology, their composition and the molecular arrangement of the various constituents. The use of labelled lectin probes for observations of ectoderm tissue in vitro with u.v. microscopy (epi-illumination) and the quantification of the results show the following:- 1) Differences in labelling according to the nature of the lectins (SB A, PSA, LCA and Con A). These differences provide information on the nature of the carbohydrates which are present at this stage and on the number of receptors. 2) Differences in fluorescence intensity of the surfaces studied. The internal surface of the ectoderm is labelled more densely than the external surface. 3) Rearrangement of the lectin receptors with a new molecular configuration, stressing the fluidity of the membrane (by the mobility of the receptors throughout the membrane) and its importance for the occurrence of neural induction. 4) Existence of membrane glycoconjugate turnover. 5) A difference in behavioural characteristics between the internal and the external surfaces with respect to the lectins and the formation of an extracellular matrix on the internal surface alone. The extracellular matrix seems to have a role in morphogenetic movements.

An ultrastructural study of the maternal-effect embryos of the ac/ac mutant of Pleurodeles waltl showing a gastrulation defect

Development ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74
Author(s):  
John G. Bluemink ◽  
Jean-Claude Beetschen
Keyword(s):  
Ultrastructural Study ◽  
Maternal Effect ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Electron Microscopical Analysis ◽  
Microscopical Analysis ◽  
Electron Microscopical ◽  
Pleurodeles Waltl ◽  
Early Gastrula

Embryos of the ac/ac maternal-effect mutant in Pleurodeles waltl show disturbed epibolic movement during gastrulation. At the early gastrula stage, ectoderm cells begin to sink in at random sites in the animal half of the embryo. At the advanced gastrula stage the ectodermal pits develop into grooves. Electron microscopical analysis shows that many cells in the bottom of the pits and grooves have narrowed apices and bear many microvilli, while the cortical cytoplasm is dense, filamentous and underlain by a stratum of vesicles. These findings are interpreted as indicating that ectoderm cells contract rather than expand leading to disturbed epibolic movement.

Fibroblast growth factor is a direct neural inducer, which combined with noggin generates anterior-posterior neural pattern

Development ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 121 (11) ◽  
pp. 3627-3636 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Lamb ◽  
R.M. Harland
Keyword(s):  
Neural Induction ◽  
Neural Tissue ◽  
Mesoderm Induction ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Neural Patterning ◽  
The Third ◽  
Dorsal Mesoderm ◽  
Early Gastrula ◽  
Anterior Posterior ◽  
Mesodermal Tissue

Neural tissue in developing Xenopus embryos is induced by signals from the dorsal mesoderm. Induction of anterior neural tissue could be mediated by noggin, a secreted polypeptide found in dorsal mesoderm. We show that bFGF, a known mesoderm inducer of blastula staged ectoderm, induces neural tissue from gastrula stage ectoderm. The type of neural tissue induced by bFGF from stage 10.25 ectoderm is posterior, as marked by Hox B9 expression. When bFGF and noggin are combined on early gastrula stage ectoderm, a more complete neural pattern is generated and no mesodermal tissue is detected. Explants treated with noggin and bFGF elongate and display distinct anterior and posterior ends marked by otx2 and Hox B9 expression, respectively. Furthermore, treatment of early gastrula ectoderm with noggin and bFGF results in the induction of En-2, a marker of the midbrain-hindbrain junction and Krox 20, a marker of the third and fifth rhombomeres of the hindbrain. Neither of these genes is induced by noggin alone or bFGF alone at this stage, suggesting a synergy in anterior-posterior neural patterning. The response of later gastrula (stage 11–12) ectoderm to bFGF changes so that Krox 20 and En-2 are induced by bFGF alone, while induction of more posterior tissue marked by Hox B9 is eliminated. The dose of bFGF affects the amount of neural tissue induced, but has little effect on the anterior-posterior character, rather the age of the ectoderm treated is the determinant of the response. Thus, an FGF signal may account for posterior neural induction, and anterior-posterior neural patterning could be partly explained by the actions of noggin and FGF, together with the changing response of the ectoderm to these factors.

Experimental analysis of the extension of the dorsal marginal zone in Pleurodeles waltl gastrulae

Development ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.L. Shi ◽  
M. Delarue ◽  
T. Darribere ◽  
J.F. Riou ◽  
J.C. Boucaut
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Marginal Zone ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Animal Pole ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Pleurodeles Waltl ◽  
Scanning Electron

The capacity for extension of the dorsal marginal zone (DMZ) in Pleurodeles waltl gastrulae was studied by scanning electron microscopy and grafting experiments. At the onset of gastrulation, the cells of the animal pole (AP) undergo important changes in shape and form a single layer. As gastrulation proceeds, the arrangement of cells also changes in the noninvoluted DMZ: radial intercalation leads to a single layer of cells. Grafting experiments involving either AP or DMZ explants were performed using a cell lineage tracer. When rotated 90 degrees or 180 degrees, grafted DMZ explants were able to involute normally and there was extension according to the animal-vegetal axis of the host. In contrast, neither single nor bilayered explants from AP involutes completely, and neither extends when grafted in place of the DMZ. Furthermore, when inside of the host, these AP grafts curl up and inhibit the closure of the blastopore. Once transplanted to the AP region, the DMZ showed no obvious autonomous extension. DMZs cultured in vitro showed little extension and this only from the late gastrula stage onward. Removal of blastocoel roof blocked involution to a varied extent, depending on the developmental stage of the embryos. From these results, it is argued that differences could well exist in the mechanism of gastrulation between anuran and urodele embryos. That migrating mesodermal cells play a major role in urodele gastrulation is discussed.

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