Neurogenesis and Gliogenesis in Neural Development

Neurogenesis

Process of neuronal birth in the neural tube.

Gliogenesis

Process of glial cell birth in the nervous system.

Neurons

Primary communicators of the nervous system.

Glial cells

Non-neuronal cells supporting neurons.

Macroglia

Includes astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in CNS.

Microglia

Immune cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells.

Schwann cells

Glial cells in the peripheral nervous system.

Astrocytes

Star-shaped glial cells in the CNS.

Oligodendrocytes

Glial cells that myelinate CNS axons.

Neural progenitor cells

Multipotent cells that can differentiate into neurons.

Neural stem cells

Multipotent cells that self-renew indefinitely.

Differentiation

Process of a cell becoming specialized.

Terminal differentiation

When a cell exits the cell cycle permanently.

Cell potency

Ability of a stem cell to differentiate.

Totipotent

Cells that can form an entire organism.

Pluripotent

Cells that can form any germ layer.

Multipotent

Cells that can differentiate into multiple cell types.

Self-renewal

Process by which stem cells replicate indefinitely.

Neural stem cell (NSC)

Multipotent cells that can self-renew and differentiate.

Neural progenitor cell (NPC)

Multipotent cells with limited self-renewal capacity.

In vitro culturing

Studying cell potency by examining progeny.

Differentiation capacity

Potential of progenitor cells to become specific cell types.

Hematopoietic stem cells

Stem cells that give rise to blood cells.

Tripotent

Can differentiate into three cell types.

Bipotent

Can differentiate into two cell types.

Unipotent

Can differentiate into one cell type.

Neural progenitor cell

Cell that gives rise to neurons and glia.

Postmitotic neurons

Cells that do not re-enter the cell cycle.

Interphase

Preparation period for mitosis in cell cycle.

G1 phase

Growth phase where cell increases in size.

S phase

Phase where chromosomes replicate.

G2 phase

Preparation phase with rapid growth and protein synthesis.

M phase

Phase where mitosis and cytokinesis occur.

Cytokinesis

Division of cytoplasm after mitosis.

Interkinetic nuclear migration

Movement of nuclei during the cell cycle.

Microtubules

Cytoskeletal structures aiding in nuclear migration.

Dynein

Motor protein moving nuclei towards basal side.

Kinesin

Motor protein moving nuclei towards apical side.

Actomyosin

Protein complex that constricts microtubules.

Ventricular zone

Apical side where neural progenitors divide.

Clonal analysis

Study of cells derived from mitotic events.

Cell cycle

Series of phases leading to cell division.

Mitotic phase

Short phase where nucleus divides.

Crowded pub hypothesis

Theory on cell division influenced by environment.

Clonal analysis

Method to trace lineages of progenitor cells.

Progenitors

Cells that give rise to other cells.

Retrovirus

Virus integrating into host DNA during cell division.

Lentivirus

Type of retrovirus used for gene delivery.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP)

Protein used to label cells for visualization.

Genomic DNA

Cell's complete set of DNA including genes.

Actively dividing cells

Cells undergoing mitosis, allowing viral integration.

GFP+ progeny

Descendants of progenitor cells expressing GFP.

Survival period

Time after injection before examining cells.

Labeled nucleotide analogs

Synthetic nucleotides used for tracking cell division.

Thymidine

Nucleotide analog incorporated during DNA synthesis.

BrdU/EdU

Modified nucleotides for detecting dividing cells.

Birth dating

Tracking cells based on their division time.

Cortical development

Formation of the cerebral cortex during embryogenesis.

Inside out development

Neurons migrate from inner to outer layers.

Ventral spinal cord neurons

Neurons born earlier than dorsal spinal cord neurons.

Dorsal spinal cord neurons

Neurons born later than ventral spinal cord neurons.

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs)

Cells that can differentiate into neurons and glia.

Transplantation studies

Research involving transferring cells to different locations.

E14 rat embryos

Source of neural progenitors for transplantation.

Neurogenesis

Process of generating new neurons during development.

Neural Progenitor Cells (NPC)

Cells that can differentiate into various neural types.

E13, E14, E15

Embryonic days for isolating NPCs from rats.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Condition treated using transplanted NPCs.

Histological Analysis

Technique to determine neuronal phenotypes post-transplant.

Neurons

Mature cells produced from NPC grafts.

Ventral Spinal Cord Neurons

Subtypes enriched in earlier-stage NPC grafts.

Dorsal Spinal Cord Neurons

Subtypes enriched in later-stage NPC grafts.

Developmental Stage Influence

Affects cell types in mature grafts significantly.

Neuronal Birth Dates

Larger neurons born earlier than smaller ones.

Phylogenetic Development

Older brain parts develop before newer structures.

Cell Cycle Length

Increases progressively during embryonic development.

G2 and M Phases

Remain constant in length throughout development.

G1 and S Phases

Lengthen progressively over developmental stages.

Neurogenesis Rate

Slows down as development progresses.

Quit Fraction (Q fraction)

Proportion of postmitotic neurons from cell division.

Asymmetric Cell Division

Produces one progenitor and one postmitotic cell.

Cyclins

Proteins regulating stages of the cell cycle.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDKs)

Interact with cyclins to regulate cell cycle activity.

Molecular Regulators

Identify factors affecting cell cycle progression.

Growth Factors

Regulate cell cycle, promoting or inhibiting progression.

Mitogens

Stimulate differential expression of cyclins and CDKs.

Multipotent Progenitor Cells

Can differentiate into multiple cell lineages.

Committed Progenitor Cells

Can only differentiate into neurons or glia.

Progenitor

Cell type that can differentiate into neurons or glia.

Neuron

Basic unit of the nervous system, transmitting signals.

Astrocyte

Star-shaped glial cells supporting neurons in the brain.

Oligodendrocyte

Glial cells that insulate axons with myelin.

Dorsal/Ventral Patterning

Segmentation of spinal cord into distinct progenitor domains.

Progenitor Domains

Regions in the spinal cord generating specific neuron types.

pd1 - pd6

Dorsal progenitor domains producing dorsal neurons.

p0 - p3

Ventral progenitor domains generating ventral neurons.

pMN

Motor neuron progenitor domain producing motor neurons.

Neurogenesis

Process of generating neurons from progenitor cells.

Glial Cells

Supportive cells in the nervous system, not neurons.

Ventral Interneurons

Types of interneurons generated by p0-p3 domains.