ventral spinal cord development

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the ventral region of the spinal cord over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The neurons of the ventral region of the mature spinal cord participate in motor output. [GO_REF:0000021, GOC:cls, GOC:dgh, GOC:dph, GOC:jid]

The ventral spinal cord, responsible for motor functions, undergoes a complex developmental process orchestrated by a precise interplay of signaling pathways and transcription factors. This process begins with the formation of the neural tube, the precursor to the spinal cord, during neurulation. Within the neural tube, specific signaling centers, including the notochord and floor plate, secrete morphogens such as Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), which establish a ventral-dorsal patterning axis.

Shh, emanating from the notochord and floor plate, acts as a potent morphogen, establishing a concentration gradient that specifies different neuronal subtypes along the ventral spinal cord. High levels of Shh induce the formation of motor neurons (MNs) in the ventral-most region, known as the motor neuron column.

As Shh concentration decreases, it induces the formation of other neuronal subtypes, including interneurons and oligodendrocytes. Interneurons, which connect with MNs and other neurons, play crucial roles in modulating motor circuits.

Oligodendrocytes, responsible for myelination of axons, are essential for efficient signal transmission. The Shh gradient, therefore, dictates the specific identity and distribution of neuronal populations in the ventral spinal cord.

The intricate interplay of transcription factors, downstream of Shh and other signaling pathways, further refines neuronal subtype specification. Transcription factors like Pax6, Olig2, and Nkx6.1, among others, are expressed in distinct domains along the ventral spinal cord and regulate the expression of genes involved in neuronal differentiation and function.

These molecular cues, including Shh signaling and transcription factor activity, orchestrate the development of a highly organized and functional ventral spinal cord. The precisely defined neuronal subtypes, their connections, and myelination by oligodendrocytes are crucial for motor control and movement.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (2)