Chain migration of neuronal precursors

Science. 1996 Feb 16;271(5251):978-81. doi: 10.1126/science.271.5251.978.

Abstract

In the brain of adult mice, cells that divide in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle migrate up to 5 millimeters to the olfactory bulb where they differentiate into neurons. These migrating cells were found to move as chains through a well-defined pathway, the rostral migratory stream. Electron microscopic analysis of serial sections showed that these chains contained only closely apposed, elongated neuroblasts connected by membrane specializations. A second cell type, which contained glial fibrillary acidic protein, ensheathed the chains of migrating neuroblasts. Thus, during chain migration, neural precursors moved associated with each other and were not guided by radial glial or axonal fibers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Cell Movement
  • Cerebral Ventricles / cytology*
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / analysis
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Mitosis
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / analysis
  • Neuroglia / chemistry
  • Neuroglia / cytology*
  • Neuroglia / physiology
  • Neurons / cytology*
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Olfactory Bulb / cytology

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules