Neurobiology The loss of embryonic BMP expression in the developing nervous syst
ID: 42280 • Letter: N
Question
Neurobiology
The loss of embryonic BMP expression in the developing nervous system is most likely to cause which of the following problems?
Dorsal localization of normally ventral neuronal subtypes in the spinal cord
Absence of myelinating glia
Anterior localization of normally posterior neuronal subtypes in the spinal cord
Enhanced neuronal specifcation in the DRG
a.Dorsal localization of normally ventral neuronal subtypes in the spinal cord
b.Absence of myelinating glia
c.Anterior localization of normally posterior neuronal subtypes in the spinal cord
d.Enhanced neuronal specifcation in the DRG
Explanation / Answer
BMP refers to Bone Morphogenetic protein. It is found on chromosome 14q22-q23.
In human embryonic develoment, BMP serves the following functions :
1) It is a critical signalling molecule - required for early early differentiation of the embryo.
2) It also helps in establishment of dorsal-ventral axis.
3) It stimulates differentiation of overlying ectodermal tissue.
4) Establishes dorsal-ventral axis formation in xenopus and dorsal-ventral patterning of the developing neural tube.
5) It is important for bone and cartilage metabolism.
As stated, it appears that the dorsal localization of normally ventral neuronal subtypes in the spinal cord will be the problem in case BMP expression is lost during the embryonic stage.