Molecular components and polarity of radial glial cells during cerebral cortex development

• Published in: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS 2018-03, Vol.75 (6), p.1027-1041
• Main Authors: Chou, Fu-Sheng, Li, Rong, Wang, Pei-Shan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actin Cytoskeleton - metabolism; Actin Cytoskeleton - ultrastructure; Adherens Junctions - metabolism; Adherens Junctions - ultrastructure; Animals; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Brain; Cell Biology; Cell Cycle Proteins - genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins - metabolism; Cell Polarity; Cells; Cerebral cortex; Cerebral Cortex - cytology; Cerebral Cortex - growth & development; Cerebral Cortex - metabolism; Cerebral Ventricles - cytology; Cerebral Ventricles - growth & development; Cerebral Ventricles - metabolism; Ectoderm - cytology; Ectoderm - growth & development; Ectoderm - metabolism; Embryo, Mammalian; Epithelium; Epithelium - growth & development; Epithelium - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix - ultrastructure; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Glial cells; Humans; Life Sciences; Molecular biology; Molecular structure; Nerve Tissue Proteins - genetics; Nerve Tissue Proteins - metabolism; Neuroglia - cytology; Neuroglia - metabolism; Neurons; Pia Mater - cytology; Pia Mater - growth & development; Pia Mater - metabolism; Polarity; Radial glial cells; Retinal ganglion cells; Review
• ISSN: 1420-682X; 1420-9071
• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2680-0

Originating from ectodermal epithelium, radial glial cells (RGCs) retain apico-basolateral polarity and comprise a pseudostratified epithelial layer in the developing cerebral cortex. The apical endfeet of the RGCs faces the fluid-filled ventricles, while the basal processes extend across the entire cortical span towards the pial surface. RGC functions are largely dependent on this polarized structure and the molecular components that define it. In this review, we will dissect existing molecular evidence on RGC polarity establishment and during cerebral cortex development and provide our perspective on the remaining key questions.