Sonic hedgehog signaling switches the mode of division in the developing nervous system

Indirect neurogenesis in space and time

During central nervous system (CNS) development, neural progenitor cells (NPCs) generate neurons and glia in two different ways. In direct neurogenesis, daughter cells differentiate directly into neurons or glia, whereas in indirect neurogenesis, neurons or glia are generated after one or more daughter cell divisions. Intriguingly, indirect neurogenesis is not stochastically deployed and plays instructive roles during CNS development: increased generation of cells from specific lineages; increased generation of early or late-born cell types within a lineage; and increased cell diversification. Increased indirect neurogenesis might contribute to the anterior CNS expansion evident throughout the Bilateria and help to modify brain-region size without requiring increased NPC numbers or extended neurogenesis. Increased indirect neurogenesis could be an evolutionary driver of the gyrencephalic (that is, folded) cortex that emerged during mammalian evolution and might even have increased during hominid evolution. Thus, selection of indirect versus direct neurogenesis provides a powerful developmental and evolutionary instrument that drives not only the evolution of CNS complexity but also brain expansion and modulation of brain-region size, and thereby the evolution of increasingly advanced cognitive abilities. This Review describes indirect neurogenesis in several model species and humans, and highlights some of the molecular genetic mechanisms that control this important process.

An in vivo drug screen in zebrafish reveals that cyclooxygenase 2-derived prostaglandin D2 promotes spinal cord neurogenesis

The study of neurogenesis is essential to understanding fundamental developmental processes and for the development of cell replacement therapies for central nervous system disorders. Here, we designed an in vivo drug screening protocol in developing zebrafish to find new molecules and signalling pathways regulating neurogenesis in the ventral spinal cord. This unbiased drug screen revealed that 4 cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors reduced the generation of serotonergic interneurons in the developing spinal cord. These results fitted very nicely with available single-cell RNAseq data revealing that floor plate cells show differential expression of 1 of the 2 COX2 zebrafish genes (ptgs2a). Indeed, several selective COX2 inhibitors and two different morpholinos against ptgs2a reduced the number of serotonergic neurons in the ventral spinal cord and led to locomotor deficits. Single-cell RNAseq data and different pharmacological manipulations further revealed that COX2-floor plate-derived prostaglandin D2 promotes neurogenesis in the developing spinal cord by promoting mitotic activity in progenitor cells. Rescue experiments using a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor suggest that intracellular changes in cAMP levels underlie the effects of COX inhibitors on neurogenesis and locomotion. Our study provides compelling in vivo evidence showing that prostaglandin signalling promotes neurogenesis in the ventral spinal cord.

Choice of friction coefficient deeply affects tissue behaviour in stochastic epithelial vertex models

To understand the mechanisms that coordinate the formation of biological tissues, the use of numerical implementations is necessary. The complexity of such models involves many assumptions and parameter choices that result in unpredictable consequences, obstructing the comparison with experimental data. Here, we focus on vertex models, a family of spatial models used extensively to simulate the dynamics of epithelial tissues. Usually, in the literature, the choice of the friction coefficient is not addressed using quasi-static deformation arguments that generally do not apply to realistic scenarios. In this manuscript, we discuss the role that the choice of friction coefficient has on the relaxation times and consequently in the conditions of cell cycle progression and division. We explore the effects that these changes have on the morphology, growth rate and topological transitions of the tissue dynamics. These results provide a deeper understanding of the role that an accurate mechanical description plays in the use of vertex models as inference tools. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Causes and consequences of stochastic processes in development and disease'.

Vinculin is required for interkinetic nuclear migration (INM) and cell cycle progression

Vinculin is an actin-binding protein (ABP) that strengthens the connection between the actin cytoskeleton and adhesion complexes. It binds to β-catenin/N-cadherin complexes in apical adherens junctions (AJs), which maintain cell-to-cell adhesions, and to talin/integrins in the focal adhesions (FAs) that attach cells to the basal membrane. Here, we demonstrate that β-catenin targets vinculin to the apical AJs and the centrosome in the embryonic neural tube (NT). Suppression of vinculin slows down the basal-to-apical part of interkinetic nuclear migration (BAINM), arrests neural stem cells (NSCs) in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, and ultimately dismantles the apical actin cytoskeleton. In the NSCs, mitosis initiates when an internalized centrosome gathers with the nucleus during BAINM. Notably, our results show that the first centrosome to be internalized is the daughter centrosome, where β-catenin and vinculin accumulate, and that vinculin suppression prevents centrosome internalization. Thus, we propose that vinculin links AJs, the centrosome, and the actin cytoskeleton where actomyosin contraction forces are required.

Shaping the brain: The emergence of cortical structure and folding

The cerebral cortex-the brain's covering and largest region-has increased in size and complexity in humans and supports higher cognitive functions such as language and abstract thinking. There is a growing understanding of the human cerebral cortex, including the diversity and number of cell types that it contains, as well as of the developmental mechanisms that shape cortical structure and organization. In this review, we discuss recent progress in our understanding of molecular and cellular processes, as well as mechanical forces, that regulate the folding of the cerebral cortex. Advances in human genetics, coupled with experimental modeling in gyrencephalic species, have provided insights into the central role of cortical progenitors in the gyrification and evolutionary expansion of the cerebral cortex. These studies are essential for understanding the emergence of structural and functional organization during cortical development and the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with cortical malformations.

From signalling to form: the coordination of neural tube patterning

The development of the vertebrate spinal cord involves the formation of the neural tube and the generation of multiple distinct cell types. The process starts during gastrulation, combining axial elongation with specification of neural cells and the formation of the neuroepithelium. Tissue movements produce the neural tube which is then exposed to signals that provide patterning information to neural progenitors. The intracellular response to these signals, via a gene regulatory network, governs the spatial and temporal differentiation of progenitors into specific cell types, facilitating the assembly of functional neuronal circuits. The interplay between the gene regulatory network, cell movement, and tissue mechanics generates the conserved neural tube pattern observed across species. In this review we offer an overview of the molecular and cellular processes governing the formation and patterning of the neural tube, highlighting how the remarkable complexity and precision of vertebrate nervous system arises. We argue that a multidisciplinary and multiscale understanding of the neural tube development, paired with the study of species-specific strategies, will be crucial to tackle the open questions.

2D effects enhance precision of gradient-based tissue patterning

Robust embryonic development requires pattern formation with high spatial accuracy. In epithelial tissues that are patterned by morphogen gradients, the emerging patterns achieve levels of precision that have recently been explained by a simple one-dimensional reaction-diffusion model with kinetic noise. Here, we show that patterning precision is even greater if transverse diffusion effects are at play in such tissues. The positional error, a measure for spatial patterning accuracy, decreases in wider tissues but then saturates beyond a width of about ten cells. This demonstrates that the precision of gradient-based patterning in two- or higher-dimensional systems can be even greater than predicted by 1D models, and further attests to the potential of noisy morphogen gradients for high-precision tissue patterning.

A novel protocol to derive cervical motor neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) is the majority of ALS, and the lack of appropriate disease models has hindered its research. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology now permits derivation of iPSCs from somatic cells of sALS patients to investigate disease phenotypes and mechanisms. Most existing differentiation protocols are time-consuming or low efficient in generating motor neurons (MNs). Here we report a rapid and simple protocol to differentiate MNs in monolayer culture using small molecules, which led to nearly pure neural stem cells in 6 days, robust OLIG2+ pMNs (73%-91%) in 12 days, enriched CHAT+ cervical spinal MNs (sMNs) (88%-97%) in 18 days, and functionally mature sMNs in 28 days. This simple and reproducible protocol permitted the identification of hyperexcitability phenotypes in our sALS iPSC-derived sMNs, and its application in neurodegenerative diseases should facilitate in vitro disease modeling, drug screening, and the development of cell therapy.

Neurogenesis redirects β-catenin from adherens junctions to the nucleus to promote axonal growth

Here, we show that, in the developing spinal cord, after the early Wnt-mediated Tcf transcription activation that confers dorsal identity to neural stem cells, neurogenesis redirects β-catenin from the adherens junctions to the nucleus to stimulate Tcf-dependent transcription in a Wnt-independent manner. This new β-catenin activity regulates genes implicated in several aspects of contralateral axon growth, including axon guidance and adhesion. Using live imaging of ex-vivo chick neural tube, we showed that the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and the rise in Tcf-dependent transcription both initiate before the dismantling of the adherens junctions and remain during the axon elongation process. Notably, we demonstrated that β-catenin activity in post-mitotic cells depends on TCF7L2 and is central to spinal commissural axon growth. Together, our results reveal Wnt-independent Tcf/β-catenin regulation of genes that control the growth and guidance of commissural axons in chick spinal cord.

Gain and loss of function variants in EZH1 disrupt neurogenesis and cause dominant and recessive neurodevelopmental disorders

Genetic variants in chromatin regulators are frequently found in neurodevelopmental disorders, but their effect in disease etiology is rarely determined. Here, we uncover and functionally define pathogenic variants in the chromatin modifier EZH1 as the cause of dominant and recessive neurodevelopmental disorders in 19 individuals. EZH1 encodes one of the two alternative histone H3 lysine 27 methyltransferases of the PRC2 complex. Unlike the other PRC2 subunits, which are involved in cancers and developmental syndromes, the implication of EZH1 in human development and disease is largely unknown. Using cellular and biochemical studies, we demonstrate that recessive variants impair EZH1 expression causing loss of function effects, while dominant variants are missense mutations that affect evolutionarily conserved aminoacids, likely impacting EZH1 structure or function. Accordingly, we found increased methyltransferase activity leading to gain of function of two EZH1 missense variants. Furthermore, we show that EZH1 is necessary and sufficient for differentiation of neural progenitor cells in the developing chick embryo neural tube. Finally, using human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural cultures and forebrain organoids, we demonstrate that EZH1 variants perturb cortical neuron differentiation. Overall, our work reveals a critical role of EZH1 in neurogenesis regulation and provides molecular diagnosis for previously undefined neurodevelopmental disorders.

Stemness Activity Underlying Whole Brain Regeneration in a Basal Chordate

Understanding how neurons regenerate following injury remains a central challenge in regenerative medicine. Adult mammals have a very limited ability to regenerate new neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). In contrast, the basal chordate Polycarpa mytiligera can regenerate its entire CNS within seven days of complete removal. Transcriptome sequencing, cellular labeling, and proliferation in vivo essays revealed that CNS regeneration is mediated by a newly formed neural progeny and the activation of neurodevelopmental pathways that are associated with enhanced stem-cell activity. Analyzing the expression of 239 activated pathways enabled a quantitative understanding of gene-set enrichment patterns at key regeneration stages. The molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling the regenerative ability that this study reveals can be used to develop innovative approaches to enhancing neurogenesis in closely-related chordate species, including humans.

Single-cell imaging of the cell cycle reveals CDC25B-induced heterogeneity of G1 phase length in neural progenitor cells

Although lengthening of the cell cycle and G1 phase is a generic feature of tissue maturation during development, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we develop a time-lapse imaging strategy to measure the four cell cycle phases in single chick neural progenitor cells in their endogenous environment. We show that neural progenitors are widely heterogeneous with respect to cell cycle length. This variability in duration is distributed over all phases of the cell cycle, with the G1 phase contributing the most. Within one cell cycle, each phase duration appears stochastic and independent except for a correlation between S and M phase duration. Lineage analysis indicates that the majority of daughter cells may have a longer G1 phase than mother cells, suggesting that, at each cell cycle, a mechanism lengthens the G1 phase. We identify that the CDC25B phosphatase known to regulate the G2/M transition indirectly increases the duration of the G1 phase, partly through delaying passage through the restriction point. We propose that CDC25B increases the heterogeneity of G1 phase length, revealing a previously undescribed mechanism of G1 lengthening that is associated with tissue development.

The Symmetry of Neural Stem Cell and Progenitor Divisions in the Vertebrate Brain

Robust brain development requires the tight coordination between tissue growth, neuronal differentiation and stem cell maintenance. To achieve this, neural stem cells need to balance symmetric proliferative and terminal divisions with asymmetric divisions. In recent years, the unequal distribution of certain cellular components in mitosis has emerged as a key mechanism to regulate the symmetry of division, and the determination of equal and unequal sister cell fates. Examples of such components include polarity proteins, signaling components, and cellular structures such as endosomes and centrosomes. In several types of neural stem cells, these factors show specific patterns of inheritance that correlate to specific cell fates, albeit the underlying mechanism and the potential causal relationship is not always understood. Here, we review these examples of cellular neural stem and progenitor cell asymmetries and will discuss how they fit into our current understanding of neural stem cell function in neurogenesis in developing and adult brains. We will focus mainly on the vertebrate brain, though we will incorporate relevant examples from invertebrate organisms as well. In particular, we will highlight recent advances in our understanding of the complexities related cellular asymmetries in determining division mode outcomes, and how these mechanisms are spatiotemporally regulated to match the different needs for proliferation and differentiation as the brain forms.

Relationship between epithelial organization and morphogen interpretation

Despite molecular noise and genetic differences between individuals, developmental outcomes are remarkably constant. Decades of research has focused on the underlying mechanisms that ensure this precision and robustness. Recent quantifications of chemical gradients and epithelial cell shapes provide novel insights into the basis of precise development. In this review, we argue that these two aspects may be linked in epithelial morphogenesis.

Evolving Roles of Notch Signaling in Cortical Development

Expansion of the neocortex is thought to pave the way toward acquisition of higher cognitive functions in mammals. The highly conserved Notch signaling pathway plays a crucial role in this process by regulating the size of the cortical progenitor pool, in part by controlling the balance between self-renewal and differentiation. In this review, we introduce the components of Notch signaling pathway as well as the different mode of molecular mechanisms, including trans- and cis-regulatory processes. We focused on the recent findings with regard to the expression pattern and levels in regulating neocortical formation in mammals and its interactions with other known signaling pathways, including Slit–Robo signaling and Shh signaling. Finally, we review the functions of Notch signaling pathway in different species as well as other developmental process, mainly somitogenesis, to discuss how modifications to the Notch signaling pathway can drive the evolution of the neocortex.

BuMPing Into Neurogenesis: How the Canonical BMP Pathway Regulates Neural Stem Cell Divisions Throughout Space and Time

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are secreted factors that contribute to many aspects of the formation of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), from the initial shaping of the neural primordium to the maturation of the brain and spinal cord. In particular, the canonical (SMAD1/5/8-dependent) BMP pathway appears to play a key role during neurogenesis, its activity dictating neural stem cell fate decisions and thereby regulating the growth and homeostasis of the CNS. In this mini-review, I summarize accumulating evidence demonstrating how the canonical BMP activity promotes the amplification and/or maintenance of neural stem cells at different times and in diverse regions of the vertebrate CNS, and highlight findings suggesting that this function is evolutionarily conserved.

From Cell States to Cell Fates: How Cell Proliferation and Neuronal Differentiation Are Coordinated During Embryonic Development

The central nervous system (CNS) exhibits an extraordinary diversity of neurons, with the right cell types and proportions at the appropriate sites. Thus, to produce brains with specific size and cell composition, the rates of proliferation and differentiation must be tightly coordinated and balanced during development. Early on, proliferation dominates; later on, the growth rate almost ceases as more cells differentiate and exit the cell cycle. Generation of cell diversity and morphogenesis takes place concomitantly. In the vertebrate brain, this results in dramatic changes in the position of progenitor cells and their neuronal derivatives, whereas in the spinal cord morphogenetic changes are not so important because the structure mainly grows by increasing its volume. Morphogenesis is under control of specific genetic programs that coordinately unfold over time; however, little is known about how they operate and impact in the pools of progenitor cells in the CNS. Thus, the spatiotemporal coordination of these processes is fundamental for generating functional neuronal networks. Some key aims in developmental neurobiology are to determine how cell diversity arises from pluripotent progenitor cells, and how the progenitor potential changes upon time. In this review, we will share our view on how the advance of new technologies provides novel data that challenge some of the current hypothesis. We will cover some of the latest studies on cell lineage tracing and clonal analyses addressing the role of distinct progenitor cell division modes in balancing the rate of proliferation and differentiation during brain morphogenesis. We will discuss different hypothesis proposed to explain how progenitor cell diversity is generated and how they challenged prevailing concepts and raised new questions.

Quantitative Approaches to Study Retinal Neurogenesis

The study of the development of the vertebrate retina can be addressed from several perspectives: from a purely qualitative to a more quantitative approach that takes into account its spatio-temporal features, its three-dimensional structure and also the regulation and properties at the systems level. Here, we review the ongoing transition toward a full four-dimensional characterization of the developing vertebrate retina, focusing on the challenges at the experimental, image acquisition, image processing and quantification. Using the developing zebrafish retina, we illustrate how quantitative data extracted from these type of highly dense, three-dimensional tissues depend strongly on the image quality, image processing and algorithms used to segment and quantify. Therefore, we propose that the scientific community that focuses on developmental systems could strongly benefit from a more detailed disclosure of the tools and pipelines used to process and analyze images from biological samples.

A protocol for in ovo electroporation of chicken and snake embryos to study forebrain development

In vivo electroporation has become a key technique to study genetic mechanisms of brain development. However, electroporation of the embryonic pallium in oviparous species, interesting for evolutionary studies but distinct from in utero electroporation, is quite infrequent. Here, we detail the in ovo electroporation of the developing pallium in chick and snake embryos. This protocol allows gene manipulation through introducing exogenous DNA into brain progenitor cells and can be adapted to any type of gene manipulation of the embryonic telencephalon.

For complete information on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Cárdenas et al. (2018).

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In ovo electroporation of dorsal telencephalon in chick and snake embryos

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Maximal viability of the embryos makes the protocol highly efficient

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The simplicity of the procedure makes it accessible to non-expert researchers

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Adaptable to any type of gene manipulation of the embryonic telencephalon

Anteroposterior elongation of the chicken anterior trunk neural tube is hindered by interaction with its surrounding tissues

The neural tube is the precursor of the central nervous system. Its early formation and growth are known to be extremely biased along the anteroposterior (AP) axis. Several mechanisms including addition of cells from the tail bud, lateral pressure from surrounding tissues and oriented cell divisions have been proposed to contribute to this biased growth. Here we show that, contrary to what has been found in posterior regions encompassing the tail bud region, the growth of the anterior trunk neural tube is slower along the AP direction than in the other axes. We found that this is due to anchorage of the neural tube to the matrix which favors apicobasal elongation at the expense of AP growth. In addition, as the neural tube develops, we found a moderate slowdown of cell proliferation that could account for the overall reduction of the pace of 3D growth in the same time window. However, as we found no preferred orientation of cell division, changes in cell cycle pace are unlikely to directly contribute to the observed AP-hindered growth of neural tube. Overall, these data indicate that neural tube growth is not intrinsically positively biased along the AP axis. Rather it switches from AP-favored to AP-hindered regimes between the most posterior and anterior trunk neural tube regions.

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Menin Localization in Developing Murine Brain: Co-Expression with the Elements of Cholinergic Synaptic Machinery

Menin, a product of MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1) gene is an important regulator of tissue development and maintenance; its perturbation results in multiple tumors—primarily of the endocrine tissue. Despite its abundance in the developing central nervous system (CNS), our understanding of menin’s role remains limited. Recently, we discovered menin to play an important role in cholinergic synaptogenesis in the CNS, whereas others have shown its involvement in learning, memory, depression and apoptosis. For menin to play these important roles in the CNS, its expression patterns must be corroborated with other components of the synaptic machinery imbedded in the learning and memory centers; this, however, remains to be established. Here, we report on the spatio-temporal expression patterns of menin, which we found to exhibit dynamic distribution in the murine brain from early development, postnatal period to a fully-grown adult mouse brain. We demonstrate here that menin expression is initially widespread in the brain during early embryonic stages, albeit with lower intensity, as determined by immunohistochemistry and gene expression. With the progression of development, however, menin expression became highly localized to learning, memory and cognition centers in the CNS. In addition to menin expression patterns throughout development, we provide the first direct evidence for its co-expression with nicotinic acetylcholine, glutamate and GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) receptors—concomitant with the expression of both postsynaptic (postsynaptic density protein PSD-95) and presynaptic (synaptotagamin) proteins. This study is thus the first to provide detailed analysis of spatio-temporal patterns of menin expression from initial CNS development to adulthood. When taken together with previously published studies, our data underscore menin’s importance in the cholinergic neuronal network assembly underlying learning, memory and cognition.

Dbnl and β-catenin promote pro-N-cadherin processing to maintain apico-basal polarity

The neural tube forms when neural stem cells arrange into a pseudostratified, single-cell–layered epithelium, with a marked apico-basal polarity, and in which adherens junctions (AJs) concentrate in the subapical domain. We previously reported that sustained β-catenin expression promotes the formation of enlarged apical complexes (ACs), enhancing apico-basal polarity, although the mechanism through which this occurs remained unclear. Here, we show that β-catenin interacts with phosphorylated pro-N-cadherin early in its transit through the Golgi apparatus, promoting propeptide excision and the final maturation of N-cadherin. We describe a new β-catenin–dependent interaction of N-cadherin with Drebrin-like (Dbnl), an actin-binding protein that is involved in anterograde Golgi trafficking of proteins. Notably, Dbnl knockdown led to pro-N-cadherin accumulation and limited AJ formation. In brief, we demonstrate that Dbnl and β-catenin assist in the maturation of pro-N-cadherin, which is critical for AJ formation and for the recruitment AC components like aPKC and, consequently, for the maintenance of apico-basal polarity.

Cell intercalation driven by SMAD3 underlies secondary neural tube formation

Body axis elongation is a hallmark of the vertebrate embryo, involving the architectural remodeling of the tail bud. Although it is clear how neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) contribute to embryo elongation, the dynamic events that lead to de novo lumen formation and that culminate in the formation of a 3-dimensional, neural tube from NMPs, are poorly understood. Here, we used in vivo imaging of the chicken embryo to show that cell intercalation downstream of TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling is required for secondary neural tube formation. Our analysis describes the events in embryo elongation including lineage restriction, the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of NMPs, and the initiation of lumen formation. We show that the resolution of a single, centrally positioned lumen, which occurs through the intercalation of central cells, requires SMAD3/Yes-associated protein (YAP) activity. We anticipate that these findings will be relevant to understand caudal, skin-covered neural tube defects, among the most frequent birth defects detected in humans.

Current State-of-the-Art and Unresolved Problems in Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Dopamine Neurons for Parkinson's Disease Drug Development

Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have the potential to give rise to a new era in Parkinson's disease (PD) research. As a unique source of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons, iPS cells provide unparalleled capabilities for investigating the pathogenesis of PD, the development of novel anti-parkinsonian drugs, and personalized therapy design. Significant progress in developmental biology of midbrain DA neurons laid the foundation for their efficient derivation from iPS cells. The introduction of 3D culture methods to mimic the brain microenvironment further expanded the vast opportunities of iPS cell-based research of the neurodegenerative diseases. However, while the benefits for basic and applied studies provided by iPS cells receive widespread coverage in the current literature, the drawbacks of this model in its current state, and in particular, the aspects of differentiation protocols requiring further refinement are commonly overlooked. This review summarizes the recent data on general and subtype-specific features of midbrain DA neurons and their development. Here, we review the current protocols for derivation of DA neurons from human iPS cells and outline their general weak spots. The associated gaps in the contemporary knowledge are considered and the possible directions for future research that may assist in improving the differentiation conditions and increase the efficiency of using iPS cell-derived neurons for PD drug development are discussed.

The Eya1 Phosphatase Mediates Shh-Driven Symmetric Cell Division of Cerebellar Granule Cell Precursors

During neural development, stem and precursor cells can divide either symmetrically or asymmetrically. The transition between symmetric and asymmetric cell divisions is a major determinant of precursor cell expansion and neural differentiation, but the underlying mechanisms that regulate this transition are not well understood. Here, we identify the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway as a critical determinant regulating the mode of division of cerebellar granule cell precursors (GCPs). Using partial gain and loss of function mutations within the Shh pathway, we show that pathway activation determines spindle orientation of GCPs, and that mitotic spindle orientation correlates with the mode of division. Mechanistically, we show that the phosphatase Eya1 is essential for implementing Shh-dependent GCP spindle orientation. We identify atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) as a direct target of Eya1 activity and show that Eya1 dephosphorylates a critical threonine (T410) in the activation loop. Thus, Eya1 inactivates aPKC, resulting in reduced phosphorylation of Numb and other components that regulate the mode of division. This Eya1-dependent cascade is critical in linking spindle orientation, cell cycle exit and terminal differentiation. Together these findings demonstrate that a Shh-Eya1 regulatory axis selectively promotes symmetric cell divisions during cerebellar development by coordinating spindle orientation and cell fate determinants.

In Vivo Analysis of the Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition During Chick Secondary Neurulation

The neural tube in amniotic embryos forms as a result of two consecutive events along the anteroposterior axis, referred to as primary and secondary neurulation (PN and SN). While PN involves the invagination of a sheet of epithelial cells, SN shapes the caudal neural tube through the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) of neuromesodermal progenitors, followed by cavitation of the medullary cord. The technical difficulties in studying SN mainly involve the challenge of labeling and manipulating SN cells in vivo. Here we describe a new method to follow MET during SN in the chick embryo, combining early in ovo chick electroporation with in vivo time-lapse imaging. This procedure allows the cells undergoing SN to be manipulated in order to investigate the MET process, permitting their cell dynamics to be followed in vivo.

The regulation of cortical neurogenesis

The mammalian cerebral cortex is the pinnacle of brain evolution, reaching its maximum complexity in terms of neuron number, diversity and functional circuitry. The emergence of this outstanding complexity begins during embryonic development, when a limited number of neural stem and progenitor cells manage to generate myriads of neurons in the appropriate numbers, types and proportions, in a process called neurogenesis. Here we review the current knowledge on the regulation of cortical neurogenesis, beginning with a description of the types of progenitor cells and their lineage relationships. This is followed by a review of the determinants of neuron fate, the molecular and genetic regulatory mechanisms, and considerations on the evolution of cortical neurogenesis in vertebrates leading to humans. We finish with an overview on how dysregulation of neurogenesis is a leading cause of human brain malformations and functional disabilities.

Fate restrictions in embryonic neural progenitors

The vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) is a fantastically complex organ composed of dozens of cell types within the neural and glial lineages. Its organization is laid down during development, through the localized and sequential production of subsets of neurons with specific identities. The principles and mechanisms that underlie the timely production of adequate classes of cells are only partially understood. Recent advances in molecular profiling describe the developmental trajectories leading to this amazing cellular diversity and provide us with cell atlases of an unprecedented level of precision. Yet, some long-standing questions pertaining to lineage relationships between neural progenitor cells and their differentiated progeny remain unanswered. Here, we discuss questions related to proliferation potential, timing of fate choices and restriction of neuronal output potential of individual CNS progenitors through the lens of lineage relationship. Unlocking methodological barriers will be essential to accurately describe CNS development at a cellular resolution.

Multimerization of Zika Virus-NS5 Causes Ciliopathy and Forces Premature Neurogenesis

Zika virus (ZikV) is a flavivirus that infects neural tissues, causing congenital microcephaly. ZikV has evolved multiple mechanisms to restrict proliferation and enhance cell death, although the underlying cellular events involved remain unclear. Here we show that the ZikV-NS5 protein interacts with host proteins at the base of the primary cilia in neural progenitor cells, causing an atypical non-genetic ciliopathy and premature neuron delamination. Furthermore, in human microcephalic fetal brain tissue, ZikV-NS5 persists at the base of the motile cilia in ependymal cells, which also exhibit a severe ciliopathy. Although the enzymatic activity of ZikV-NS5 appears to be dispensable, the amino acids Y25, K28, and K29 that are involved in NS5 oligomerization are essential for localization and interaction with components of the cilium base, promoting ciliopathy and premature neurogenesis. These findings lay the foundation for therapies that target ZikV-NS5 multimerization and prevent the developmental malformations associated with congenital Zika syndrome.

FGF2 modulates simultaneously the mode, the rate of division and the growth fraction in cultures of radial glia

Radial glial progenitors in the mammalian developing neocortex have been shown to follow a deterministic differentiation program restricted to an asymmetric-only mode of division. This feature seems incompatible with their well-known ability to increase in number when cultured in vitro, driven by fibroblast growth factor 2 and other mitogenic signals. The changes in their differentiation dynamics that allow this transition from in vivo asymmetric-only division mode to an in vitro self-renewing culture have not been fully characterized. Here, we combine experiments of radial glia cultures with numerical models and a branching process theoretical formalism to show that fibroblast growth factor 2 has a triple effect by simultaneously increasing the growth fraction, promoting symmetric divisions and shortening the length of the cell cycle. These combined effects partner to establish and sustain a pool of rapidly proliferating radial glial progenitors in vitro. We also show that, in conditions of variable proliferation dynamics, the branching process tool outperforms other commonly used methods based on thymidine analogs, such as BrdU and EdU, in terms of accuracy and reliability.

Highlighted Article: When mode and/or rate of division are changing, a branching process, rather than a thymidine analog method, provides temporal resolution, it is more robust and does not interfere with cell homeostasis.

A SMAD1/5-YAP signalling module drives radial glia self-amplification and growth of the developing cerebral cortex

The growth and evolutionary expansion of the cerebral cortex are defined by the spatial-temporal production of neurons, which itself depends on the decision of radial glial cells (RGCs) to self-amplify or to switch to neurogenic divisions. The mechanisms regulating these RGC fate decisions are still incompletely understood. Here, we describe a novel and evolutionarily conserved role of the canonical BMP transcription factors SMAD1/5 in controlling neurogenesis and growth during corticogenesis. Reducing the expression of both SMAD1 and SMAD5 in neural progenitors at early mouse cortical development caused microcephaly and an increased production of early-born cortical neurons at the expense of late-born ones, which correlated with the premature differentiation and depletion of the pool of cortical progenitors. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments performed during early cortical neurogenesis in the chick revealed that SMAD1/5 activity supports self-amplifying RGC divisions and restrains the neurogenic ones. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SMAD1/5 stimulate RGC self-amplification through the positive post-transcriptional regulation of the Hippo signalling effector YAP. We anticipate this SMAD1/5-YAP signalling module to be fundamental in controlling growth and evolution of the amniote cerebral cortex.

NR2F1 regulates regional progenitor dynamics in the mouse neocortex and cortical gyrification in BBSOAS patients

The relationships between impaired cortical development and consequent malformations in neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as the genes implicated in these processes, are not fully elucidated to date. In this study, we report six novel cases of patients affected by BBSOAS (Boonstra‐Bosch‐Schaff optic atrophy syndrome), a newly emerging rare neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by loss‐of‐function mutations of the transcriptional regulator NR2F1. Young patients with NR2F1 haploinsufficiency display mild to moderate intellectual disability and show reproducible polymicrogyria‐like brain malformations in the parietal and occipital cortex. Using a recently established BBSOAS mouse model, we found that Nr2f1 regionally controls long‐term self‐renewal of neural progenitor cells via modulation of cell cycle genes and key cortical development master genes, such as Pax6. In the human fetal cortex, distinct NR2F1 expression levels encompass gyri and sulci and correlate with local degrees of neurogenic activity. In addition, reduced NR2F1 levels in cerebral organoids affect neurogenesis and PAX6 expression. We propose NR2F1 as an area‐specific regulator of mouse and human brain morphology and a novel causative gene of abnormal gyrification.

Regulation of size and scale in vertebrate spinal cord development

All vertebrates have a spinal cord with dimensions and shape specific to their species. Yet how species‐specific organ size and shape are achieved is a fundamental unresolved question in biology. The formation and sculpting of organs begins during embryonic development. As it develops, the spinal cord extends in anterior–posterior direction in synchrony with the overall growth of the body. The dorsoventral (DV) and apicobasal lengths of the spinal cord neuroepithelium also change, while at the same time a characteristic pattern of neural progenitor subtypes along the DV axis is established and elaborated. At the basis of these changes in tissue size and shape are biophysical determinants, such as the change in cell number, cell size and shape, and anisotropic tissue growth. These processes are controlled by global tissue‐scale regulators, such as morphogen signaling gradients as well as mechanical forces. Current challenges in the field are to uncover how these tissue‐scale regulatory mechanisms are translated to the cellular and molecular level, and how regulation of distinct cellular processes gives rise to an overall defined size. Addressing these questions will help not only to achieve a better understanding of how size is controlled, but also of how tissue size is coordinated with the specification of pattern.

This article is categorized under:

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Regulation of Size, Proportion, and Timing

Signaling Pathways > Global Signaling Mechanisms

Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles

Molecular and cellular evolution of corticogenesis in amniotes

The cerebral cortex varies dramatically in size and complexity between amniotes due to differences in neuron number and composition. These differences emerge during embryonic development as a result of variations in neurogenesis, which are thought to recapitulate modifications occurred during evolution that culminated in the human neocortex. Here, we review work from the last few decades leading to our current understanding of the evolution of neurogenesis and size of the cerebral cortex. Focused on specific examples across vertebrate and amniote phylogeny, we discuss developmental mechanisms regulating the emergence, lineage, complexification and fate of cortical germinal layers and progenitor cell types. At the cellular level, we discuss the fundamental impact of basal progenitor cells and the advent of indirect neurogenesis on the increased number and diversity of cortical neurons and layers in mammals, and on cortex folding. Finally, we discuss recent work that unveils genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying this progressive expansion and increased complexity of the amniote cerebral cortex during evolution, with a particular focus on those leading to human-specific features. Whereas new genes important in human brain development emerged the recent hominid lineage, regulation of the patterns and levels of activity of highly conserved signaling pathways are beginning to emerge as mechanisms of central importance in the evolutionary increase in cortical size and complexity across amniotes.

Delta-Notch Signaling: The Long and The Short of a Neuron's Influence on Progenitor Fates

Maintenance of the neural progenitor pool during embryonic development is essential to promote growth of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is initially formed by tightly compacted proliferative neuroepithelial cells that later acquire radial glial characteristics and continue to divide at the ventricular (apical) and pial (basal) surface of the neuroepithelium to generate neurons. While neural progenitors such as neuroepithelial cells and apical radial glia form strong connections with their neighbours at the apical and basal surfaces of the neuroepithelium, neurons usually form the mantle layer at the basal surface. This review will discuss the existing evidence that supports a role for neurons, from early stages of differentiation, in promoting progenitor cell fates in the vertebrates CNS, maintaining tissue homeostasis and regulating spatiotemporal patterning of neuronal differentiation through Delta-Notch signalling.

The interplay of atoh1 genes in the lower rhombic lip during hindbrain morphogenesis

The Lower Rhombic Lip (LRL) is a transient neuroepithelial structure of the dorsal hindbrain, which expands from r2 to r7, and gives rise to deep nuclei of the brainstem, such as the vestibular and auditory nuclei and most posteriorly the precerebellar nuclei. Although there is information about the contribution of specific proneural-progenitor populations to specific deep nuclei, and the distinct rhombomeric contribution, little is known about how progenitor cells from the LRL behave during neurogenesis and how their transition into differentiation is regulated. In this work, we investigated the atoh1 gene regulatory network operating in the specification of LRL cells, and the kinetics of cell proliferation and behavior of atoh1a-derivatives by using complementary strategies in the zebrafish embryo. We unveiled that atoh1a is necessary and sufficient for specification of LRL cells by activating atoh1b, which worked as a differentiation gene to transition progenitor cells towards neuron differentiation in a Notch-dependent manner. This cell state transition involved the release of atoh1a-derivatives from the LRL: atoh1a progenitors contributed first to atoh1b cells, which are committed non-proliferative precursors, and to the lhx2b-neuronal lineage as demonstrated by cell fate studies and functional analyses. Using in vivo cell lineage approaches we revealed that the proliferative cell capacity, as well as the mode of division, relied on the position of the atoh1a progenitors within the dorsoventral axis. We showed that atoh1a may behave as the cell fate selector gene, whereas atoh1b functions as a neuronal differentiation gene, contributing to the lhx2b neuronal population. atoh1a-progenitor cell dynamics (cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and neuronal migration) relies on their position, demonstrating the challenges that progenitor cells face in computing positional information from a dynamic two-dimensional grid in order to generate the stereotyped neuronal structures in the embryonic hindbrain.

Basal Protrusions Mediate Spatiotemporal Patterns of Spinal Neuron Differentiation

During early spinal cord development, neurons of particular subtypes differentiate with a sparse periodic pattern while later neurons differentiate in the intervening space to eventually produce continuous columns of similar neurons. The mechanisms that regulate this spatiotemporal pattern are unknown. In vivo imaging in zebrafish reveals that differentiating spinal neurons transiently extend two long protrusions along the basal surface of the spinal cord before axon initiation. These protrusions express Delta protein, consistent with the hypothesis they influence Notch signaling at a distance of several cell diameters. Experimental reduction of Laminin expression leads to smaller protrusions and shorter distances between differentiating neurons. The experimental data and a theoretical model support the proposal that neuronal differentiation pattern is regulated by transient basal protrusions that deliver temporally controlled lateral inhibition mediated at a distance. This work uncovers a stereotyped protrusive activity of newborn neurons that organize long-distance spatiotemporal patterning of differentiation.

Neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and axon guidance

Development of the central nervous system (CNS) is a complex, dynamic process that involves a precisely orchestrated sequence of genetic, environmental, biochemical, and physical factors from early embryonic stages to postnatal life. Duringthe past decade, great strides have been made to unravel mechanisms underlying human CNS development through the employment of modern genetic techniques and experimental approaches. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge regarding the main developmental processes and signaling mechanisms of (i) neurogenesis, (ii) neuronal migration, and (iii) axon guidance. We discuss mechanisms related to neural stem cells proliferation, migration, terminal translocation of neuronal progenitors, and axon guidance and pathfinding. For each section, we also provide a comprehensive overview of the underlying regulatory processes, including transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and epigenetic factors, and a myriad of signaling pathways that are pivotal to determine the fate of neuronal progenitors and newly formed migrating neurons. We further highlight how impairment of this complex regulating system, such as mutations in its core components, may cause cortical malformation, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autism in humans. A thorough understanding of normal human CNS development is thus crucial to decipher mechanisms responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders and in turn guide the development of effective and targeted therapeutic strategies.

Establishing neuronal diversity in the spinal cord: a time and a place

The vertebrate spinal cord comprises multiple functionally distinct neuronal cell types arranged in characteristic positions. During development, these different types of neurons differentiate from transcriptionally distinct neural progenitors that are arrayed in discrete domains along the dorsal-ventral and anterior-posterior axes of the embryonic spinal cord. This organization arises in response to morphogen gradients acting upstream of a gene regulatory network, the architecture of which determines the spatial and temporal pattern of gene expression. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in deciphering the regulatory network that underlies the specification of distinct progenitor and neuronal cell identities. In this Review, we outline how distinct neuronal cell identities are established in response to spatial and temporal patterning systems, and outline novel experimental approaches to study the emergence and function of neuronal diversity in the spinal cord.

Derepression of sonic hedgehog signaling upon Gpr161 deletion unravels forebrain and ventricular abnormalities

Inverse gradients of transcriptional repressors antagonize the transcriptional effector response to morphogens. However, the role of such inverse regulation might not manifest solely from lack of repressors. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) patterns the forebrain by being expressed ventrally; however, absence of antagonizing Gli3 repressor paradoxically cause insufficient pathway activation. Interestingly, lack of the primary cilia-localized G-protein-coupled receptor, Gpr161 increases Shh signaling in the mouse neural tube from coordinated lack of Gli3 repressor and Smoothened-independent activation. Here, by deleting Gpr161 in mouse neuroepithelial cells and radial glia at early mid-gestation we detected derepression of Shh signaling throughout forebrain, allowing determination of the pathophysiological consequences. Accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (hydrocephalus) was apparent by birth, although usual causative defects in multiciliated ependymal cells or aqueduct were not seen. Rather, the ventricular surface was expanded (ventriculomegaly) during embryogenesis from radial glial overproliferation. Cortical phenotypes included polymicrogyria in the medial cingulate cortex, increased proliferation of intermediate progenitors and basal radial glia, and altered neocortical cytoarchitectonic structure with increased upper layer and decreased deep layer neurons. Finally, periventricular nodular heterotopia resulted from disrupted neuronal migration, while the radial glial scaffold was unaffected. Overall, suppression of Shh pathway during early mid-gestation prevents ventricular overgrowth, and regulates cortical gyration and neocortical/periventricular cytoarchitecture.

Timing the spinal cord development with neural progenitor cells losing their proliferative capacity: a theoretical analysis

In the developing neural tube in chicken and mammals, neural stem cells proliferate and differentiate according to a stereotyped spatiotemporal pattern. Several actors have been identified in the control of this process, from tissue-scale morphogens patterning to intrinsic determinants in neural progenitor cells. In a previous study (Bonnet et al. eLife 7, 2018), we have shown that the CDC25B phosphatase promotes the transition from proliferation to differentiation by stimulating neurogenic divisions, suggesting that it acts as a maturating factor for neural progenitors. In this previous study, we set up a mathematical model linking fixed progenitor modes of division to the dynamics of progenitors and differentiated populations. Here, we extend this model over time to propose a complete dynamical picture of this process. We start from the standard paradigm that progenitors are homogeneous and can perform any type of divisions (proliferative division yielding two progenitors, asymmetric neurogenic divisions yielding one progenitor and one neuron, and terminal symmetric divisions yielding two neurons). We calibrate this model using data published by Saade et al. (Cell Reports 4, 2013) about mode of divisions and population dynamics of progenitors/neurons at different developmental stages. Next, we explore the scenarios in which the progenitor population is actually split into two different pools, one of which is composed of cells that have lost the capacity to perform proliferative divisions. The scenario in which asymmetric neurogenic division would induce such a loss of proliferative capacity appears very relevant.

A centrosomal view of CNS growth

Embryonic development of the central nervous system (CNS) requires the proliferation of neural progenitor cells to be tightly regulated, allowing the formation of an organ with the right size and shape. This includes regulation of both the spatial distribution of mitosis and the mode of cell division. The centrosome, which is the main microtubule-organizing centre of animal cells, contributes to both of these processes. Here, we discuss the impact that centrosome-mediated control of cell division has on the shape of the overall growing CNS. We also review the intrinsic properties of the centrosome, both in terms of its molecular composition and its signalling capabilities, and discuss the fascinating notion that intrinsic centrosomal asymmetries in dividing neural progenitor cells are instructive for neurogenesis. Finally, we discuss the genetic links between centrosome dysfunction during development and the aetiology of microcephaly.

E proteins sharpen neurogenesis by modulating proneural bHLH transcription factors' activity in an E-box-dependent manner

Class II HLH proteins heterodimerize with class I HLH/E proteins to regulate transcription. Here, we show that E proteins sharpen neurogenesis by adjusting the neurogenic strength of the distinct proneural proteins. We find that inhibiting BMP signaling or its target ID2 in the chick embryo spinal cord, impairs the neuronal production from progenitors expressing ATOH1/ASCL1, but less severely that from progenitors expressing NEUROG1/2/PTF1a. We show this context-dependent response to result from the differential modulation of proneural proteins’ activity by E proteins. E proteins synergize with proneural proteins when acting on CAGSTG motifs, thereby facilitating the activity of ASCL1/ATOH1 which preferentially bind to such motifs. Conversely, E proteins restrict the neurogenic strength of NEUROG1/2 by directly inhibiting their preferential binding to CADATG motifs. Since we find this mechanism to be conserved in corticogenesis, we propose this differential co-operation of E proteins with proneural proteins as a novel though general feature of their mechanism of action.

The brain and spinal cord are made up of a range of cell types that carry out different roles within the central nervous system. Each type of neuron is uniquely specialized to do its job. Neurons are produced early during development, when they differentiate from a group of cells called neural progenitor cells. Within these groups, molecules called proneural proteins control which types of neurons will develop from the neural progenitor cells, and how many of them.

Proneural proteins work by binding to specific patterns in the DNA, called E-boxes, with the help of E proteins. E proteins are typically understood to be passive partners, working with each different proneural protein indiscriminately. However, Le Dréau, Escalona et al. discovered that E proteins in fact have a much more active role to play.

Using chick embryos, it was found that E proteins influence the way different proneural proteins bind to DNA. The E proteins have preferences for certain E-boxes in the DNA, just like proneural proteins do. The E proteins enhanced the activity of the proneural proteins that share their E-box preference, and reined in the activity of proneural proteins that prefer other E-boxes. As a result, the E proteins controlled the ability of these proteins to instruct neural progenitor cells to produce specific, specialized neurons, and thus ensured that the distinct types of neurons were produced in appropriate amounts.

These findings will help shed light on the roles E proteins play in the development of the central nervous system, and the processes that control growth and lead to cell diversity. The results may also have applications in the field of regenerative medicine, as proneural proteins play an important role in cell reprogramming.

Neurogenic decisions require a cell cycle independent function of the CDC25B phosphatase

A fundamental issue in developmental biology and in organ homeostasis is understanding the molecular mechanisms governing the balance between stem cell maintenance and differentiation into a specific lineage. Accumulating data suggest that cell cycle dynamics play a major role in the regulation of this balance. Here we show that the G2/M cell cycle regulator CDC25B phosphatase is required in mammals to finely tune neuronal production in the neural tube. We show that in chick neural progenitors, CDC25B activity favors fast nuclei departure from the apical surface in early G1, stimulates neurogenic divisions and promotes neuronal differentiation. We design a mathematical model showing that within a limited period of time, cell cycle length modifications cannot account for changes in the ratio of the mode of division. Using a CDC25B point mutation that cannot interact with CDK, we show that part of CDC25B activity is independent of its action on the cell cycle.

Feedback between tissue packing and neurogenesis in the zebrafish neural tube

Balancing the rate of differentiation and proliferation in developing tissues is essential to produce organs of robust size and composition. Although many molecular regulators have been established, how these connect to physical and geometrical aspects of tissue architecture is poorly understood. Here, using high-resolution timelapse imaging, we find that changes to cell geometry associated with dense tissue packing play a significant role in regulating differentiation rate in the zebrafish neural tube. Specifically, progenitors that are displaced away from the apical surface due to crowding, tend to differentiate in a Notch-dependent manner. Using simulations we show that interplay between progenitor density, cell shape and changes in differentiation rate could naturally result in negative-feedback control on progenitor cell number. Given these results, we suggest a model whereby differentiation rate is regulated by density dependent effects on cell geometry to: (1) correct variability in cell number; and (2) balance the rates of proliferation and differentiation over development to 'fill' the available space.

Shh-mediated centrosomal recruitment of PKA promotes symmetric proliferative neuroepithelial cell division

Tight control of the balance between self-expanding symmetric and self-renewing asymmetric neural progenitor divisions is crucial to regulate the number of cells in the developing central nervous system. We recently demonstrated that Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signalling is required for the expansion of motor neuron progenitors by maintaining symmetric divisions. Here we show that activation of Shh/Gli signalling in dividing neuroepithelial cells controls the symmetric recruitment of PKA to the centrosomes that nucleate the mitotic spindle, maintaining symmetric proliferative divisions. Notably, Shh signalling upregulates the expression of pericentrin, which is required to dock PKA to the centrosomes, which in turn exerts a positive feedback onto Shh signalling. Thus, by controlling centrosomal protein assembly, we propose that Shh signalling overcomes the intrinsic asymmetry at the centrosome during neuroepithelial cell division, thereby promoting self-expanding symmetric divisions and the expansion of the progenitor pool.

Differential Routing of Mindbomb1 via Centriolar Satellites Regulates Asymmetric Divisions of Neural Progenitors

Unequal centrosome maturation correlates with asymmetric division in multiple cell types. Nevertheless, centrosomal fate determinants have yet to be identified. Here, we show that the Notch pathway regulator Mindbomb1 co-localizes asymmetrically with centriolar satellite proteins PCM1 and AZI1 at the daughter centriole in interphase. Remarkably, while PCM1 and AZI1 remain asymmetric during mitosis, Mindbomb1 is associated with either one or both spindle poles. Asymmetric Mindbomb1 correlates with neurogenic divisions and Mindbomb1 is inherited by the prospective neuron. By contrast, in proliferative divisions, a supplementary pool of Mindbomb1 associated with the Golgi apparatus in interphase is released during mitosis and compensates for Mindbomb1 centrosomal asymmetry. Finally, we show that preventing Mindbomb1 centrosomal association induces reciprocal Notch activation between sister cells and promotes symmetric divisions. Thus, we uncover a link between differential centrosome maturation and Notch signaling and reveal an unexpected compensatory mechanism involving the Golgi apparatus in restoring symmetry in proliferative divisions.

Playing with the cell cycle to build the spinal cord

A fundamental issue in nervous system development and homeostasis is to understand the mechanisms governing the balance between the maintenance of proliferating progenitors versus their differentiation into post-mitotic neurons. Accumulating data suggest that the cell cycle and core regulators of the cell cycle machinery play a major role in regulating this fine balance. Here, we focus on the interplay between the cell cycle and cellular and molecular events governing spinal cord development. We describe the existing links between the cell cycle and interkinetic nuclear migration (INM). We show how the different morphogens patterning the neural tube also regulate the cell cycle machinery to coordinate proliferation and patterning. We give examples of how cell cycle core regulators regulate transcriptionally, or post-transcriptionally, genes involved in controlling the maintenance versus the differentiation of neural progenitors. Finally, we describe the changes in cell cycle kinetics occurring during neural tube patterning and at the time of neuronal differentiation, and we discuss future research directions to better understand the role of the cell cycle in cell fate decisions.

Regulation of embryonic neurogenesis by germinal zone vasculature

In the adult rodent brain, new neurons are born in two germinal regions that are associated with blood vessels, and blood vessels and vessel-derived factors are thought to regulate the activity of adult neural stem cells. Recently, it has been proposed that a vascular niche also regulates prenatal neurogenesis. Here we identify the mouse embryo hindbrain as a powerful model to study embryonic neurogenesis and define the relationship between neural progenitor cell (NPC) behavior and vessel growth. Using this model, we show that a subventricular vascular plexus (SVP) extends through a hindbrain germinal zone populated by NPCs whose peak mitotic activity follows a surge in SVP growth. Hindbrains genetically defective in SVP formation owing to constitutive NRP1 loss showed a premature decline in both NPC activity and hindbrain growth downstream of precocious cell cycle exit, premature neuronal differentiation, and abnormal mitosis patterns. Defective regulation of NPC activity was not observed in mice lacking NRP1 expression by NPCs, but instead in mice lacking NRP1 selectively in endothelial cells, yet was independent of vascular roles in hindbrain oxygenation. Therefore, germinal zone vascularization sustains NPC proliferation in the prenatal brain.