Cell-Cell Signaling in Early Cortical Development

Abstract

The remarkable process of neuronal migration has long been viewed as the key event of corticogenesis. Before neurons complete their final cell division and begin to migrate out of the proliferative zones, however, many important decisions concerning their ultimate fate have already been made. These critical decisions are, in part, under local environmental control. The signals by which proliferating cortical precursor cells interact with each other and with their environment are still largely unknown, but, as these factors are dis covered, they will alter our view of corticogenesis and most likely provide new insights into causes of cerebral malformations. This review is intended to describe the repertoire of cellular interactions detected thus far among proliferating cortical cells and to discuss possible roles of cell-cell signaling pathways. The Neurosci entist 1:268-276, 1995