cerebral cortex cell migration

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The orderly movement of cells from one site to another in the cerebral cortex. [GO_REF:0000021, GOC:cls, GOC:dgh, GOC:dph, GOC:jid]

Cerebral cortex cell migration is a complex and tightly regulated process that is essential for the development of the cerebral cortex, the outermost layer of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions. It involves the coordinated movement of neurons from their birthplace in the ventricular zone to their final destinations in various cortical layers. This journey is guided by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic cues.

**1. Progenitor Cell Division and Specification:**

- The journey begins in the ventricular zone, where neural progenitor cells undergo rapid proliferation.
- These cells differentiate into various types of neurons and glial cells.
- As the cells differentiate, they acquire specific molecular signatures that dictate their fate and migration patterns.

**2. Radial Glial Guidance:**

- Radial glial cells, specialized glial cells that extend long fibers from the ventricular zone to the pial surface, act as scaffolding for migrating neurons.
- These fibers provide a physical path for neurons to climb, guiding their movement along radial trajectories.
- Interneurons, a type of neuron that plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal activity, use a different migratory route, often migrating tangentially along the marginal zone.

**3. Intrinsic Molecular Mechanisms:**

- Migrating neurons possess intrinsic molecular machinery that drives their movement.
- This machinery includes cytoskeletal proteins like actin and microtubules, which control cell shape and movement.
- Adhesion molecules and receptors on the cell surface mediate interactions with the radial glial fibers and other migratory cues.

**4. Extrinsic Signals and Guidance Cues:**

- The migration of neurons is also influenced by various extrinsic signals and guidance cues.
- These cues can be chemoattractants, molecules that attract neurons towards a specific location, or chemorepellents, molecules that repel neurons away from certain areas.
- Examples include:
- **Reelin:** A secreted protein that plays a crucial role in the formation of cortical layers by attracting migrating neurons to their appropriate destinations.
- **Slit2:** A repulsive guidance cue that guides interneurons to migrate tangentially along the marginal zone.
- **Netrins:** Proteins that guide neuronal migration and axon pathfinding.

**5. Layer Formation:**

- As neurons migrate along radial glial fibers, they arrive at their final destination in specific layers of the cortex.
- This layer formation is crucial for the proper functioning of the cerebral cortex, as different layers are specialized for different functions.
- The final position of a neuron is determined by a combination of intrinsic factors, such as its birthdate and lineage, and extrinsic cues, such as the concentration of guidance molecules.

**6. Regulation and Disruptions:**

- The migration of neurons is a complex and tightly regulated process that can be disrupted by various factors, including genetic mutations, environmental exposures, and infections.
- Disruptions in neuronal migration can lead to various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as lissencephaly (smooth brain), microcephaly (small brain), and epilepsy.

**7. Importance for Brain Function:**

- The precise migration of neurons to their correct positions is essential for the proper development and function of the cerebral cortex.
- These intricate migratory patterns establish the circuitry that underlies higher cognitive functions, including memory, learning, language, and decision-making.'
"

Proteins (4)

Compounds (596)