Cell Interaction-Dependent Neural Development

神经系统由许多类型的细胞组成。控制不同细胞类型发育的机制尚不清楚。很明显，在发育中的细胞之间传递的一系列复杂信号是必不可少的。一种类型的信号是通过影响一种细胞类型成熟的最后阶段的表面蛋白之间的直接接触来传递的，即神经胶质细胞。目前的项目将更详细地研究这种蛋白质在培养视网膜细胞中的作用和作用模式。人工基因将被构建并导入视网膜细胞。这些人工基因构建将阻断视网膜细胞中该蛋白的正常表达，从而使研究人员能够直接观察该分子在特定发育事件中的作用。被研究的蛋白质是一个蛋白质大家族的成员，这个家族的一个或多个成员存在于大多数发育中的神经系统细胞中，如果不是全部的话。对该蛋白家族成员的功能的深入了解将有助于更好地理解所有神经系统细胞发育的活跃机制

The nervous system is composed of numerous cell types. The mechanisms that control development of the different cell types are poorly understood. It is clear that a complex array of signals sent between the developing cells are essential. One type of signal is communicated through direct contact between the surface protein that influences the final stages of maturation of one cell type, the neuroglial cells. The current project will examine in more detail the role and mode of action of this protein in cultured retinal cells. Artificial genes will be constructed and introduced into the retinal cells. These artificial gene constructs will block normal expression of the protein in the retinal cells, thus allowing the investigators to directly observe the role of this molecule in specific developmental events. The protein being studied is one member of a large family of proteins, and one or more members of this family are present on most if not all cells of the developing nervous system. Insights gained as to the function of one member of this protein family will supply a better understanding of mechanisms active in development of all nervous system cells.***//