The Role of Cell Interactions in Early Neurogenesis

The workshop entitled "The Role of Cell Interactions in Early Neurogenesis" was held at the Institut d'Etudes Scientifiques in Cargese, Corsica on May 29th to June 3rd, 1983. The setting was ideal for a small meeting whose purpose was to generate as much discussion as possible between the various participants. One of the major topics of this conference was neural induction, that is, the first step in neurogenesis. Neural induction remains poorly understood at the molecular level as compared to the sub sequent steps of neuronal migration and differentiation. It thus appeared important to unite different researchers working on this fundamental process of neural induction with scientists studying later steps of neurogenesis in order to exchange ideas and suggestions. We would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Marie France Hanseler, the administrative assistant of CNRS who is respon sible for the Institute. The workshop was primarily sponsored by CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France), NATO and EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization). Additional financial support was generously provided by the International Society of Developmental Biologists, the European Developmental Biology Organiz ation, the European Council, the Universite Paul Sabatier (Toulouse), la Societe Francaise de Biologie du Developpement, les Etablisse ments Fabre (Fr~nce) et les Etablissements Sarget (France). The proceedings from this workshop comprise the present volume and there are five general chapters. In addition to the principal lectures given at the Institute, many participants presented short reports and all of these are included in this volume.

Inhalt
Early Events in the Neurogenesis of Amphibians.- Early Embryonic Induction: The Ectodermal Target Cells.- Clonal Restrictions During Early Development of the Frog Embryo.- The Mechanism of the Amphibian Primary Induction at the Cellular Level of Organization.- Sequential Induction of the Central Nervous System.- Neural-inducing Activity of Newly-mesodermalized Cells and Cellular Alterations of Induced Neurodermal Cells.- A Molecular Aspect of Neural Induction in CYNOPS Presumptive Ectoderm Treated with Lectins.- Neural Embryonic Induction.- Adrenergic Differentiation in the Automatic Nervous System.- Search for Stem Cells and Their Characteristics in the Mouse Hypothalamus.- Post-transcriptional Regulation of Ontogenetically Modulated Proteins in the Nervous System.- Role of the Extracellular Matrix in Neural Crest Cell Migration.- Neurodifferentiation in Cultures of F9 Teratocarcinoma Cells.- Intermediate Filaments as Markers of Neuronal Differentiation.- Immunochemical Studies on the D2-Glycoprotein.- Molecular Heterogeneity in Peripheral Glia.- Plasma Proteins and Fetal Brain Development.- Stage Specific Antigens on Oligodendrocyte Cell Surfaces.- Cell-type-specific Molecules: Identification of Glycolipid Binding Sites for Soybean Agglutinin and Differences in the Surface Glycolipids of Cultured Adrenergic and Cholinergic Sympathetic Neurons.- Membrane Excitability in Ciliary Ganglion Neurons and in Mesencephalic Neural Crest Cells.- Regulation of Endplate Channel Gating.- Electrical Excitability, Regional Differentiation and the Ionic Control of Early Development.- The Early Differentiation of Neuronal Membrane Properties.- The Control of Neuronal Differentiation by Intracellular Sodium.- Purification of a Neurotrophic Protein from Mammalian Brain.- Studies of the Development of Central Noradrenergic Neurons in vitro.- Nerve Growth Promoters in the Embryonic Chick.- The Roles and Limitations of Growth Factors in Neuronal Development.- Cell Interactions During Formation of the Neuromuscular Junction. The Search for Muscle-derived Motoneuron Growth Factors.- A Spinal Cord Derived Neurotrophic Growth Factor for Spinal Nerve Sensory Neurons.- Inhibition of Proteolytic Activity as Modulation of Neurite Outgrowth.- Surface-bound and Released Neuronal Glycoproteins and Glycolipids.- In Vitro Studies on the Maturation of the Ascending Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons.- Brain Factors Supporting Proliferation of Neuronal Cells in Culture.- Plasticity in the Neurotransmitter Phenotype of Rat Sympathetic Neurons in Primary Culture.