key term - Fgf

Definition

Fibroblast growth factor (fgf) is a family of proteins involved in various biological processes, including cell growth, development, and tissue repair. In the context of neural induction and neurulation, fgf plays a critical role in the signaling pathways that help form the neural plate and subsequent structures during early embryonic development. The signaling mechanisms initiated by fgf are essential for proper neural differentiation and the establishment of the central nervous system.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. fgf is crucial for neural induction, as it influences the fate of ectodermal cells to become neural progenitors.
2. In addition to promoting cell growth, fgf signaling is involved in angiogenesis, limb development, and wound healing.
3. Different members of the fgf family can have distinct effects depending on their specific receptors and downstream signaling pathways activated in target cells.
4. The spatial and temporal expression of fgf during early development is tightly regulated to ensure proper formation and patterning of the nervous system.
5. Research has shown that abnormalities in fgf signaling can lead to developmental disorders affecting neural structures.

Review Questions

• How does fgf influence neural induction during embryonic development?
  • fgf plays a pivotal role in neural induction by activating signaling pathways that encourage ectodermal cells to differentiate into neural progenitor cells. This process involves interactions between fgf and its receptors, which trigger a cascade of molecular events leading to the formation of the neural plate. The precise regulation of fgf levels is critical for ensuring that ectodermal cells acquire neural characteristics at the right time and place in development.
• Discuss the implications of fgf signaling in both normal embryonic development and potential developmental disorders.
  • fgf signaling is integral to normal embryonic development, particularly in establishing the nervous system. Disruptions or abnormalities in fgf pathways can lead to various developmental disorders, including issues with neural tube formation or other malformations affecting brain structure. Understanding these pathways helps researchers identify potential targets for intervention in conditions arising from improper fgf signaling during critical periods of development.
• Evaluate how variations in fgf expression could impact neural differentiation and subsequent nervous system organization.
  • Variations in fgf expression can significantly impact neural differentiation by altering the balance between progenitor maintenance and differentiation into specific neuronal types. If fgf levels are too high or too low, it can lead to improper neural patterning or even failure in forming certain regions of the nervous system. This misregulation can have long-lasting effects on how neurons are organized and connected, potentially resulting in functional deficits in behavior or cognition as an individual matures.

Related terms

Neural Plate: A thickened area of ectoderm that forms along the dorsal side of the embryo and eventually gives rise to the neural tube during neurulation.

Neural Induction:

The process by which specific signaling molecules promote the differentiation of ectodermal cells into neural tissue, initiating the formation of the nervous system.

Neuroectoderm: The region of ectoderm that gives rise to the neural tissue, including the brain and spinal cord, influenced by various growth factors like fgf.