Molecular Cues of Neurulation

This lecture delves into the molecular signals involved in neurulation, focusing on Sonic hedgehog as a ventralizing signal that determines the differentiation of neural lineage. It explores how Sonic hedgehog inhibits specific transcription factors, leading to the polarization of the neural tube. Additionally, it discusses the interplay between ventralizing and dorsalizing signals, such as BMPs, in defining precise areas within the neural tube. The concept of secondary organizers, like the floor plate and anterior neural ridge, is also explained, highlighting their role in brain development and the establishment of specific regions in the brain's anatomy.