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Neural patterning Deconstructing the organizer

Nature volume 391, pages 748–749 (1998)Cite this article

Modern understanding of animal development depends on the concept of the ‘organizer’ — a group of cells which sends signals that induce distinct fates in neighbouring cells, resulting in spatial patterning1 (see box). For example, initial patterning of the central nervous system, along the anteroposterior (forebrain-to-spinal-cord) axis seems to depend on signals from the organizer2. Recent experiments, however, reveal a complex series of signalling events, indicating that anteroposterior patterning of the neuraxis does not depend on a single organizer. Rather, patterning may be due to the concerted action of a series of organizing centres. Further evidence to support this is given by Houart et al.3 on page 788 of this issue. They have identified an organizing centre involved in brain patterning which — in contrast to the classical organizer, which occupies a posterior position relative to the neural ectoderm — is located at the prospective anterior end of the zebrafish neuraxis.

According to the old model for anteroposterior patterning, all neural tissue is induced by the underlying, anterior axial mesoderm (the anterior midline cells of the middle layer of embryonal tissue). Thus, all neural tissue first has anterior (forebrain) character1.

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Figure 1: Induction of neural anteroposterior patterning by distinct organizing centres in early vertebrate embryos.
Figure 2: Planar model for initial anteroposterior patterning in the vertebrate neural plate.

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  1. Skirball Institute, Developmental Genetics Program, NYU Medical Center, 540 First Avenue, New York, 10016, New York, USA

    A. Ruiz i Altaba

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Ruiz i Altaba, A. Neural patterning Deconstructing the organizer. Nature 391, 748–749 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/35761

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