The role of ErbB receptor signaling in cell fate decisions by cortical progenitors: Evidence for a biased, lineage-based responsiveness to different ligands
Kl. Eagleson et al., The role of ErbB receptor signaling in cell fate decisions by cortical progenitors: Evidence for a biased, lineage-based responsiveness to different ligands, MOL CELL NE, 12(6), 1998, pp. 349-362
We recently identified the required collaborative signaling of TGF alpha an
d collagen type IV to regulate cell fate choice in the cerebral cortex, mea
sured by the expression of the limbic system associated membrane protein (L
AMP) by nonlimbic, sensorimotor progenitors. We show that activation of dif
ferent members of the erbB receptor family can similarly modulate the speci
fication of cortical area fate. The region of the cerebral wall from which
progenitor cells arise does not Influence the response to the neuregulin-1
or TGF alpha, but a subpopulation of progenitors is not competent to expres
s LAMP in response to neuregulin-1. The heterogeneity in the responsiveness
by progenitors to the two growth factors is reflected in the expression of
different repertoires of erbB receptors. Using clonal analysis, we demonst
rate that there may be a lineage-dependent mechanism regulating the ability
of neuronal progenitors to respond to specific inductive cues that control
cell fate.