spinal cord ventral commissure morphogenesis

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The process in which the anatomical structures of the spinal cord ventral commissure are generated and organized. [GO_REF:0000021, GOC:cls, GOC:dgh, GOC:dph, GOC:jid]

The spinal cord ventral commissure, a crucial structure connecting the left and right halves of the spinal cord, undergoes intricate morphogenesis during embryonic development. This process is orchestrated by a precise interplay of signaling pathways, cell adhesion molecules, and transcription factors.

The initial formation of the ventral commissure arises from the migration of neural crest cells and floor plate cells, both crucial components of the developing spinal cord. Neural crest cells, originating from the neural tube's dorsal region, contribute to the formation of the commissural axons that traverse the ventral midline. The floor plate, a specialized epithelial tissue situated at the ventral midline of the neural tube, provides critical guidance cues for these migrating axons.

Signaling molecules, including Netrin-1, secreted by the floor plate, act as chemoattractants, guiding commissural axons toward the ventral midline. Slit proteins, also secreted by the floor plate, act as chemorepellents, preventing inappropriate axon projections. These cues are crucial for ensuring precise axon guidance and the correct formation of the ventral commissure.

Cell adhesion molecules, such as Cadherins, play a crucial role in establishing and maintaining cell-cell contacts. N-cadherin, highly expressed in the ventral commissure, promotes adhesion between commissural axons, facilitating their bundling and fasciculation. These connections are essential for establishing a functional connection between the left and right halves of the spinal cord.

Transcription factors, such as Pax6 and Shh, regulate the expression of genes involved in commissural axon guidance and cell fate determination. Pax6, expressed in both neural crest cells and floor plate cells, contributes to the formation of the ventral commissure by regulating the expression of guidance cues and adhesion molecules. Shh, secreted by the floor plate, activates downstream signaling pathways that are essential for the development of commissural neurons and the formation of the ventral commissure.

The precise regulation of these molecular pathways ensures that the ventral commissure forms correctly, providing essential connections for the transmission of signals between the left and right halves of the spinal cord. Disruptions in this intricate morphogenetic process can lead to severe neurological disorders, highlighting the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying ventral commissure formation.'
"

Proteins (1)

Compounds (2)