Beta1 integrin maintains integrity of the embryonic neocortical stem cell niche.

ABSTRACT: During embryogenesis, the neural stem cells (NSC) of the developing cerebral cortex are located in the ventricular zone (VZ) lining the cerebral ventricles. They exhibit apical and basal processes that contact the ventricular surface and the pial basement membrane, respectively. This unique architecture is important for VZ physical integrity and fate determination of NSC daughter cells. In addition, the shorter apical process is critical for interkinetic nuclear migration (INM), which enables VZ cell mitoses at the ventricular surface. Despite their importance, the mechanisms required for NSC adhesion to the ventricle are poorly understood. We have shown previously that one class of candidate adhesion molecules, laminins, are present in the ventricular region and that their integrin recept

SUBMITTER: Loulier K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2720642 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature