Neural plate pre-patterning enables specification of intermediate neural progenitors in the spinal cord

The development of the spinal cord involves signals that tell cells what to become. This study focuses on how intermediate cell fates are determined, which has been unclear. The researchers found that before the spinal cord tube forms, the neural plate is pre-patterned by signals like FGF and Wnt, creating different zones of transcription factor expression. Specifically, Wnt signaling helps define a region where certain transcription factors (pax3a, olig4, her3) are co-expressed, and this region gives rise to intermediate neural progenitors (p0) that express dbx1b.

• 1
  The neural plate is patterned by transcription factors, creating distinct states in response to signals like FGF and Wnt, partitioning the tissue into distinct states.
• 2
  dbx1b-expressing intermediate progenitors (p0) originate from a neural-plate specific state characterized by transient co-expression of the TFs pax3a, olig4 and her3.
• 3
  Wnt signaling in the posterior neural plate defines the boundary of olig4 expression and promotes dbx1b specification.