Cell-Cell Signaling in Vertebrate Development provides a comprehensive discussion of cell-cell interactions in vertebrate development and the molecular signals that mediate them. The book is divided into six parts, arranged according to major developmental phenomena demonstrated in illustrative systems derived from amphibian, avian, mammalian, and piscine sources. Part I introduces the mechanisms of gene activation in the context of early vertebrate development. Part II is concerned with cellular contacts and the induction process. Cell-cell interactions are illustrated through analyses of neurogenesis in the mouse; embryonic induction is considered in the frog and in the chick. Part III deals with cell migration and differentiation. It examines cell lineages in the frog eyebud; migration phenomena in connection with axon guidance in the embryonic rat spinal cord and mouse visual system; pathfinding by primary motoneurons; and the formation of terminal arbors in zebrafish embryos. Part IV discusses developmental processes that depend on diffusible signals and signal gradients. Part V illustrates pattern formation as exemplified in the developing chick hindbrain and in urodele limb regeneration. Part VI highlights gene expression and its regulation by transcription factors or growth factors in rodent development.

Table of Contents:
Preface Part I Introduction 1 Mechanisms of Gene Activation in Early Vertebrate Development Text References Part II Cell-Cell Contacts and Induction 2 Control of Granule Cell Neurogenesis and Migration in Developing Cerebellar Cortex Introduction Granule Cell DNA Synthesis Stimulated by Contacts among Neuronal Precursor Cells Influence of Growth Factors on Granule Neuroblast DNA Synthesis Duration of Proliferation by Immature Granule Cells in Vitro Characterization of the Progeny of Granule Cell Neuroblasts in Vitro Initiation of Neuronal Differentiation: The Neurological Mutant Mouse Weaver Weaver EGL Cells Fail to Undergo Neuronal Differentiation in Vitro Weaver Cells Extend Neurites when Transplanted into Reaggregates of Wild-Type Cells Membranes from Wild-Type Cells Rescue the Weaver Defect in Neunte Outgrowth Weaver Cells Migrate along Glial Fascicles after Transplantation into Reaggregates of Wild-Type Cells Expression of TAG-1 and Astrotactin Increases when Weaver Cells Are Cocultured with Wild-Type Cells Features of Migrating Granule Neurons Molecular Components of Glia-Guided Neuronal Migration Spatiotemporal Pattern of Expression of Astrotactin Changing Patterns of Gene Expression Define Four Stages of Granule Neuron Differentiation References 3 Mesoderm Induction and Pattern Formation in the Amphibian Embryo Mesoderm Induction and the Establishment of the Basic Body Plan in Xenopus Mesoderm Induction and the Formation of the Dorsoventral and Anteroposterior Axes Consequences of Mesoderm Induction: The Activation of Regulatory Genes The LIM Class of Homeobox Genes in Xenopus Development Conclusions References 4 Relationships between Mesoderm Induction and Formation of the Embryonic Axis in the Chick Embryo Germ Layers and Cell Movement Patterns during Primitive Streak Formation in the Chick Embryo Establishment of Cell Diversity: Expression of Cell-Type-Specific Markers during Primitive Streak Formation Nature of Macromolecules Carrying the L2/HNK-1 Epitope and Their Possible Involvement in Gastrulation Fate of HNK-l-Positive Cells Marginal Zone: Organizer of the Early Embryo Induction of the Primitive Streak: A Revised View References Part III Cell Migration and Differentiation 5 Studies of Neural Cell Lineages Using Injectable Fluorescent Tracers Introduction Fluorescent Dextran and Retroviral Vectors as Lineage Tracers Cell Lineages in the Frog Eyebud Cell Lineages in the Spinal Cord and Hindbrain of the Chick Concluding Remarks References 6 Axon Guidance in the Mammalian Spinal Cord Introduction Orientation of Commissural Axons in Response to a Floor Plate-Derived Chemoattractant Patterning of Axons by Contact-Mediated Cues at the Floor Plate Summary References 7 Axon Patterning in the Visual System: Divergence of Retinal Axons to Each Side of the Brain at the Midline of the Optic Chiasm Dye-Labeling Studies in Fixed Brain: Axon Trajectory and Growth Cone Morphology Reflect the Pattern of Divergence Growth Cone Form as an Indicator of Behavior and Cell-Cell Interactions Real Time Studies Midline of the Optic Chiasm: A First Cue for Divergence Fiber-Fiber Interactions Also Contribute to Axon Divergence Concluding Remarks References 8 Cellular Interactions Regulating the Formation of Terminal Arbors by Primary Motoneurons in the Zebrafish Identified Primary Motoneurons of the Zebrafish Pathfinding by the Primary Motoneurons Formation of Terminal Arbors Extension and Retraction of Projections Regulation of Branch Extension and Retraction Summary References Part IV Gradients and Diffusible Signals 9 The DVR Gene Family in Embryonic Development Introduction Results and Discussion References 10 Control of Neural Cell Identity and Pattern by Notochord and Floor Plate Signals Introduction Induction of the Floor Plate by the Notochord Signals from the Floor Plate and Notochord Control Cell Pattern in the Ventral Half of the Neural Tube Influence of the Notochord and Floor Plate on Cell Differentiation in the Dorsal Neural Tube Possible Mechanisms for the Control of Neural Cell Pattern by the Notochord and Floor Plate References 11 Retinoids and Pattern Formation in Vertebrate Embryos Biochemistry of Retinoids Retinoids Induce a Homeobox Gene during Early Development of the Chick Embryo Retinoic Acid Induces Somite-like Structures in Cranial Mesoderm Retinoid Metabolism in Early Chick Embryos References Part V Pattern Formation 12 The Relationship between Krox-20 Gene Expression and the Segmentation of the Vertebrate Hindbrain Introduction Conserved Expression Pattern of Krox-20 Establishment of Krox-20 Expression in the Neural Epithelium Implications for Krox-20 Function Relationship between Krox-20 Expression and Lineage Restriction References 13 The Effect of Retinoids on Amphibian Limb Regeneration Introduction Events of Limb Regeneration Effects of Retinoids on Limb Regeneration Conclusions References Part VI Transcription Factors 14 Role of Transcription Factor GATA-1 in the Differentiation of Hemopoietic Cells Introduction Results Discussion and Conclusions References 15 Expression of Hox-2 Genes and Their Relationship to Regional Diversity in the Vertebrate Head Introduction Conservation and Properties of the Hox Network Hox Expression in the Branchial Arches: A Hox Code for the Head Role of Mesoderm in Neural Plate Regionalization Temporal Onset of Expression Transmission of Spatial Specification to Other Parts of the Head Areas of Reduced Crest Emigration Mechanism of Head Segmentation Differences in Extent of Specification in Cranial Crest Experimental Support for the Hox Code Conclusions References 16 Murine Paired Box Containing Genes Introduction Murine Pax Gene Family Conclusions References 17 Gene Regulation during Nerve Growth Factor-Induced Differentiation Expression of Immediate Early Genes Expression of Delayed Early Genes Expression of Late Genes Proto-oncogenes and Neural Development and Function Summary References Index