Early Stages of Motor Neuron Differentiation Revealed by Expression of Homeobox Gene Islet-1
Motor neurons in the embryonic chick spinal cord express a homeobox gene, Islet-1, soon
after their final mitotic division and before the appearance of other differentiated motor
neuron properties. The expression of Islet-1 by neural cells is regulated by inductive signals
from the floor plate and notochord. These results establish Islet-1 as the earliest marker of
developing motor neurons. The molecular nature of the Islet-1 protein suggests that it may
be involved in the establishment of motor neuron fate.
after their final mitotic division and before the appearance of other differentiated motor
neuron properties. The expression of Islet-1 by neural cells is regulated by inductive signals
from the floor plate and notochord. These results establish Islet-1 as the earliest marker of
developing motor neurons. The molecular nature of the Islet-1 protein suggests that it may
be involved in the establishment of motor neuron fate.
Motor neurons in the embryonic chick spinal cord express a homeobox gene, Islet-1, soon after their final mitotic division and before the appearance of other differentiated motor neuron properties. The expression of Islet-1 by neural cells is regulated by inductive signals from the floor plate and notochord. These results establish Islet-1 as the earliest marker of developing motor neurons. The molecular nature of the Islet-1 protein suggests that it may be involved in the establishment of motor neuron fate.
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