Neural fold#Folding mechanism

In the embryo, the formation of the neural folds originates from the area where the neural plate and the surrounding ectoderm converge. This region of the embryo is formed after gastrulation, and consists of epithelial tissue. Here, the epithelial cells elongate by means of microtubule polymerization, increasing their height. The thumbnail below shows this process, as well as the subsequent formation of the neural crest cells and the neural tube, which arise from the joining of the neural folds.{{cite journal |vauthors=Lawson A, Anderson H, Schoenwolf GC |title=Cellular mechanisms of neural fold formation and morphogenesis in the chick embryo |journal=The Anatomical Record |volume=262 |issue=2 |pages=153–68 |date=February 2001 |pmid=11169910 |doi=10.1002/1097-0185(20010201)262:2<153::AID-AR1021>3.0.CO;2-W|doi-access=free }}

File:Embryonic Development CNS.png (A) induces the cells of the ectoderm directly above it to become the primitive nervous system (i.e., neuroepithelium). The neuroepithelium then folds over (B). As the tips of the folds fuse together, a hollow tube (the neural tube) forms (C)—the precursor of the brain and spinal cord. Meanwhile, the ectoderm and endoderm continue to curve around and fuse to create the body cavity, completing the transformation of the embryo from a flattened disk to a three–dimensional body. Cells originating from the fused tips of the neuroectoderm (neural crest cells) migrate to various locations throughout the embryo, where they will initiate the development of diverse body structures (D).{{cite web|title=File:Embryonic Development CNS.gif|url=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Embryonic_Development_CNS.gif|website=Wikimedia Commons|accessdate=1 April 2013|date=2012-04-04}}]]

The formation of the neural fold is initiated by the release of calcium from within the cells. The released calcium interacts with proteins that can modify the actin filaments in the outer epithelial tissue, or ectoderm, in order to induce the dynamic cell movements necessary to create the fold.{{cite journal |vauthors=Ferreira MC, Hilfer SR |title=Calcium regulation of neural fold formation: visualization of the actin cytoskeleton in living chick embryos |journal=Developmental Biology |volume=159 |issue=2 |pages=427–40 |date=October 1993 |pmid=8405669 |doi=10.1006/dbio.1993.1253}} These cells are held together by cadherins (specifically E and N-cadherin), types of intercellular binding protein. When the cells at the peaks of the neural folds come in proximity with each other, it is the affinity for similar cadherin molecules (N-cadherins) that allows these cells to bind to each other. Thus, when the neural tube precursor cells begin expressing N-cadherin in the place of E-cadherin, this causes the neural tube to form and separate from the ectoderm and settle inside the embryo. When the cells fail to associate in a manner that is not part of the normal course of development, severe diseases can occur.

The process of folding begins when the cells in the central region of the neural plate, the medial hinge point cells, bind to the notochord beneath them. This creates a central anchoring point for the process of folding to occur, and subsequently creates the neural groove. As the neural folds continue to extend, dorsolateral hinge points form, allowing the folds to curve into a tube-like structure. When the peaks of the folds (known as the neural crest regions) touch, they merge and involute, creating the neural tube beneath the newly formed epidermal layer.{{cite book|title=Developmental biology protocols, Volume 136|year=2000|publisher=Humama|pages=[https://archive.org/details/developmentalbio00rock/page/125 125–134]|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dMZ0NOZUyxEC&pg=PA125|authorlink=Mechanisms of Neurulation|editor1=Rocky S. Tuan|editor2=Cecilia W. Lo|accessdate=1 April 2013|chapter=15|isbn=9781592590650|url=https://archive.org/details/developmentalbio00rock/page/125}}

File:Gray16.png

The molecular mechanism behind this process lies in the expression and repression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). BMPs are a wide family of proteins that perform many functions throughout the growing embryo, including stimulating the growth of cartilage and bone. In order to allow for the growth of precursor neural tissues, as opposed to precursor bone or cartilage tissues, BMP expression is decreased in the neural plate, specifically along the medial line, where the neural groove will soon form.

The proteins produced from the genes Noggin and Chordin inhibit these BMPs, and subsequently allow neural commitment genes, like SOX, to be expressed. These genes encode transcription factors, which alter the genomic expression of these cells, furthering them along the path of neural cell commitment.{{cite book|last=Khong|first=Hrsg. Jean W. Keeling; Hrsg. T. Yee|title=Fetal and Neonatal Pathology|year=2007|publisher=Springer London|location=Godalming|isbn=978-1846285240|pages=702–704|edition=4th}}

This process of BMP inhibition allows for the anchoring of the medial hinge point cells, providing the neural folds with the foundation necessary for folding and closure to occur. Noggin and Chordin have other roles in the neurulation process, including stimulating the neural crest cells to emigrate from the newly formed neural tube.{{cite journal |vauthors=Anderson RM, Stottmann RW, Choi M, Klingensmith J |title=Endogenous bone morphogenetic protein antagonists regulate mammalian neural crest generation and survival |journal=Developmental Dynamics |volume=235 |issue=9 |pages=2507–20 |date=September 2006 |pmid=16894609 |doi=10.1002/dvdy.20891|pmc=6626635 }}{{cite journal |vauthors=Stottmann RW, Berrong M, Matta K, Choi M, Klingensmith J |title=The BMP antagonist Noggin promotes cranial and spinal neurulation by distinct mechanisms |journal=Developmental Biology |volume=295 |issue=2 |pages=647–63 |date=July 2006 |pmid=16712836 |pmc=3001110 |doi=10.1016/j.ydbio.2006.03.051}}

The Sonic hedgehog gene also plays a role in attenuating BMP expression, forming the medial hinge point while inhibiting the formation of the dorsolateral hinge points, and in ensuring the proper closure of the neural folds.{{cite journal |vauthors=Kirillova I, Novikova I, Augé J, etal |title=Expression of the sonic hedgehog gene in human embryos with neural tube defects |journal=Teratology |volume=61 |issue=5 |pages=347–54 |date=May 2000 |pmid=10777830 |doi=10.1002/(SICI)1096-9926(200005)61:5<347::AID-TERA6>3.0.CO;2-#}}

The prechordal plate, notochord, and non-neural ectoderm are believed to be important inducer tissues that release these chemical signals, in order to trigger neural plate folding.

The final adhesion of the converging neural folds is due to several different types of intercellular binding proteins. Cadherins and their CAM receptor molecules, for example, are present in two types in the neural precursor tissue: E-cadherin keeps the cells of the neural plate and surrounding ectoderm adhered to each other, while N-cadherin does the same for the cells of the neural fold. Only cells expressing the same kind of cadherin can bind to each other; since the peaks of the neural folds both express N-cadherin, they are able to merge into a continuous sheet of cells. Likewise, it is this diminished affinity between cells expressing different types of cadherin that allows the neural tube precursor cells to separate from the ectoderm, forming the neural tube on the interior of the embryo and the true epidermis on the exterior.

Another set of molecules involved with the merging of the neural folds are the ephrin molecules and their Eph receptors, which adhere in a similar manner to the cadherin molecules discussed above.

The merging of the neural folds gives rise to many structures including the neural tube (the precursor to the central nervous system), neural crest cells(which give rise to a variety of diverse mesenchymal cells), and to the true epidermal layer. The neural fold is an extremely important structure in that this mechanism is needed to produce these diverse kinds of cells in the right places.

File:Anencephaly side.jpg

{{Main|Neural tube defect}}

There are many potential diseases that can arise from the improper adhesion or merging of the neural folds. During folding, the openings that are formed at the cranial and caudal regions are termed the cranial and caudal neuropores.{{cite book|last=Gilbert|first=SF|title=Developmental Biology|year=2000|publisher=Sinauer Associates|location=Sunderland, MA|isbn=978-0-87893-243-6|chapter-url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10080/#A2877|edition=6th|accessdate=30 November 2011|chapter=12: Formation of the Neural Tube|url=https://archive.org/details/developmentalbio00gilb}} If the caudal neuropore fails to close, a condition called spina bifida can occur, in which the bottom of the spinal cord remains exposed. Often this condition can be detected during prenatal examinations and be treated before birth, though in more severe cases the individual may cope with the condition for the rest of his or her life.{{cite web|url=http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/spina_bifida.html|title=Spina Bifida|accessdate=1 April 2013}} Depending on the severity and the affected area, individuals can experience a variety of symptoms, including a varying motor function and mobility, bladder control, and/or sexual function.{{cite web|title=SB and the Spine|url=http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.evKRI7OXIoJ8H/b.8029551/k.99AA/Learn_about_SB.htm|website=Learn about Spina Bifida|accessdate=1 April 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423072404/http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.evKRI7OXIoJ8H/b.8029551/k.99AA/Learn_about_SB.htm|archivedate=23 April 2013}}

If the failure is instead in the cranial neuropore, anencephaly occurs. In this condition, the brain tissue is directly exposed to the amniotic fluid, and is subsequently degraded.{{cite web|title=7.2: The trilaminar germ disk (3rd week)|url=http://www.embryology.ch/anglais/hdisqueembry/triderm10.html|website=Human Embryology: Embryogenesis|accessdate=22 March 2013|archive-date=16 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116004631/http://www.embryology.ch/anglais/hdisqueembry/triderm10.html|url-status=dead}}

If the entire neural tube fails to close, the condition is referred to as craniorachischisis.

• Developmental biology
• Neurulation

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00xr4kzYZn4 YouTube Video of Embryonic Chick Neurulation]
• [http://www.bartleby.com/107/7.html Anatomy of the Human Body's The Neural Tube and Groove by Henry Gray]

{{Development of nervous system}}

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Category:Embryology of nervous system