Neural crest cell motility in XXXX .

@entity1573 @entity1092 @entity2052 @entity39409
Neural crest cells (NCCs) exit the dorsal neural tube and migrate to sites where they form diverse tissues. @entity1092 ( @entity2052 ) is an anticonvulsant drug that induces neural tube and related defects. Altered NCC migration and proliferation have been proposed as mechanisms of teratogenicity. We cultured neural tube segments from @entity1573 embryos in 0.75-3.0mM @entity2052 . We used image analysis, proliferation assays, and fluorescence localization to investigate NCCs during @entity2052 exposure. @entity2052 inhibited attachment of explants and the number that produced migrating cells. @entity2052 markedly decreased the proportion of cells migrating individually, promoting migration as epithelial sheets. @entity2052 at 3mM decreased cellular spreading. Area and perimeter change per minute were reduced, but migration velocity was not. @entity2052 at 2mM reduced proliferation 11% and 3mM arrested proliferation. Immunostaining of @entity2052 -exposed explants revealed @entity39409 -positive cell boundaries within sheets, but independent NCCs did not stain. F-actin staining was reduced in independent NCCs. The data support a @entity2052 mechanism involving interference with epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
