Physiological significance of multipolar cells generated from neural stem cells and progenitors for the establishment of neocortical cytoarchitecture

Neurogenesis encompasses an entire set of events that leads to the generation of newborn neurons from neural stem cells and more committed progenitor cells, including cell division, the production of migratory precursors and their progeny, differentiation and integration into circuits. In particular, the precise control of neuronal migration and morphological changes is essential for the development of the neocortex. Postmitotic cells within the intermediate zone have been found to transiently assume a characteristic “multipolar” morphology, after which a multipolar‐to‐bipolar transition occurs before the cells enter the cortical plate; however, the importance of this multipolar phase in the establishment of mature cortical cytoarchitecture and the precise genetic control of this phase remains largely unknown. Thus, this review article focuses on the multipolar phase in the developing neocortex. It begins by summarizing the molecular mechanism that underlies multipolar migration for the regulation of each step in multipolar phase in intermediate zone. The physiological significance of this multipolar phase in the establishment of mature cortical lamination and neurodevelopmental disorders associated with migration defects is then described.
Source: Genes to Cells - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research