- Recent research has elucidated some of the mechanisms that may be involved in cranial neural tube closure, which includes apical constriction of lateral cells within the midbrain, while there is sustained apical expansion for midline cells 
- These processes are regulated by Shh signaling, and is therefore a vital morphogen factor in cranial neural tube cell remodeling, and subsequent closure  

Mechanisms of Cranial Neural Tube Closure 

Expression of Shh has been known to influence the following: 
- Axon guidance 
- Cell Migration 
- Mesenchymal cell clustering 
- Changes to epithelial cell structure 

Influence of Sonic Hedgehog on Developmental Processes

- A molecular signaling molecule that specifies ventral cell fates in the neural tube when in high quantities 
- When in moderate quantities, Shh specifies more median cell fates 
- Involved in cell fate decisions in limb, and gut, as well as the neural tube 

Smith College

- A range of morphogen signaling molecules are used to specify cell identity across the cranial neural tube axis
- This includes Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Wnt, and BMP 

Morphogen Signaling in Cranial Neural Tube 

Brooks, E. R., Islam, M. T., Anderson, K. V., & Zallen, J. A. (2020). Sonic hedgehog signaling directs patterned cell remodeling during cranial neural tube closure. eLife, 9, e60234. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.60234

Sonic hedgehog signaling directs patterned cell remodeling during cranial neural tube closure

Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) 

- Two molecular signaling molecules that specify dorsal cell fates in the neural tube when in high quantities 

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