Name: dissection of xenopus laevis neural crest for in vitro explant culture or in vivo transplantation
Uploaded: 2014-03-04T17:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Dissection of Xenopus laevis Neural Crest for in vitro Explant Culture or in vivo Transplantation at JoVE.com

The authors thank Adeline Dolly for the pictures of explant on fibronectin, Eric Theveneau for helpful discussions and the Animal Facility of the Institut Curie. C.M. is a postdoctoral fellow of Region Ile de France (Domaine d'Interet Majeur Stem Pole), Universite Paris Sud (Attache Temporaire d'Enseignement et de Recherche), and Agence Nationale de la Recherche. This work was funded by the Universite Paris Sud (Attractivite 2011), the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Action Thematique et Incitative sur Programme), Association pour la Recherche contre le Cancer Grant SFI20101201882, Ligue contre le Cancer, and Agence Nationale de la Recherche (Agence Nationale de la Recherche Programme Blanc).

Experiments comply with National and European regulation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes and with internationally established principles of replacement, reduction and refinement.
1. Preparation of Fibronectin-coated Dishes14
<ol>
	<li>Pipette 500 ml of 10 mg/ml culture grade fibronectin diluted in 1x&#160;Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) into a standard plastic Petri dish (&#216; 40 x 11 mm). Incubate at 37 &#176;C for 1 hr. Note: if using glass dishes or ...

<ol>
	<li>Sauka-Spengler, T., Bronner-Fraser, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+gene+regulatory+network+orchestrates+neural+crest+formation.">A gene regulatory network orchestrates neural crest formation.</a> Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 9 (7), 557-568 (2008).</li><li>Theveneau, E., Mayor, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+crest+delamination+and+migration:+from+epithelium-to-mesenchyme+transition+to+collective+cell+migration.">Neural crest delamination and migration: from epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition to collective cell migration.</a> Dev. Biol. 366 (1), 34-54 (2012).</li><li>Stuhlmiller, T. J., Garc&#237;a-Castro, M. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+perspectives+of+the+signaling+pathways+directing+neural+crest+induction.">Current perspectives of the signaling pathways directing neural crest induction.</a> Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 69 (22), 3715-3737 (2012).</li><li>Milet, C., Monsoro-Burq, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+crest+induction+at+the+neural+plate+border+in+vertebrates.">Neural crest induction at the neural plate border in vertebrates.</a> Dev. Biol. 366 (1), 22-33 (2012).</li><li>Pegoraro, C., Monsoro-Burq, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Signaling+and+transcriptional+regulation+in+neural+crest+specification+and+migration:+lessons+from+Xenopus+embryos.">Signaling and transcriptional regulation in neural crest specification and migration: lessons from Xenopus embryos.</a> Dev. Biol. 2 (2), 247-259 (2013).</li><li>Etchevers, H. C., Amiel, J., Lyonnet, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+Bases+of+Human+Neurocristopathies.">Molecular Bases of Human Neurocristopathies.</a> Neural Crest Induct. Different. 589, 213-234 (2005).</li><li>Nieuwkoop, P. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activation+and+organization+of+the+central+nervous+system+in+amphibians.+Part+II.+Differentiation+and+organization.">Activation and organization of the central nervous system in amphibians. Part II. Differentiation and organization.</a> J. Exp. Zool. 120 (1), 33-81 (1952).</li><li>Nieuwkoop, P. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activation+and+organization+of+the+central+nervous+system+in+amphibians+Part+I.+Induction+and+activation.">Activation and organization of the central nervous system in amphibians Part I. Induction and activation.</a> J. Exp. Zool. 120 (1), 1-31 (1952).</li><li>Sharpe, C. R., Fritz, A., De Robertis, E. M., Gurdon, J. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+homeobox-containing+marker+of+posterior+neural+differentiation+shows+the+importance+of+predetermination+in+neural+induction.">A homeobox-containing marker of posterior neural differentiation shows the importance of predetermination in neural induction.</a> Cell. 50 (5), 749-758 (1987).</li><li>Sive, H. L., Grainger, R. M., Harland, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Early development of Xenopus laevis: a laboratory manual. , (2000).</li><li>Monsoro-Burq, A. -. H., Fletcher, R. B., Harland, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+crest+induction+by+paraxial+mesoderm+in+Xenopus+embryos+requires+FGF+signals.">Neural crest induction by paraxial mesoderm in Xenopus embryos requires FGF signals.</a> Development. 130 (14), 3111-3124 (2003).</li><li>Milet, C., Maczkowiak, F., Roche, D. D., Monsoro-Burq, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pax3+and+Zic1+drive+induction+and+differentiation+of+multipotent,+migratory,+and+functional+neural+crest+in+Xenopus+embryos.">Pax3 and Zic1 drive induction and differentiation of multipotent, migratory, and functional neural crest in Xenopus embryos.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 110 (14), 5528-5533 (2013).</li><li>Sadaghiani, B., Thi&#233;baud, C. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+crest+development+in+the+Xenopus+laevis+embryo,+studied+by+interspecific+transplantation+and+scanning+electron+microscopy.">Neural crest development in the Xenopus laevis embryo, studied by interspecific transplantation and scanning electron microscopy.</a> Dev. Biol. 124 (1), 91-110 (1987).</li><li>Theveneau, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Collective+chemotaxis+requires+contact-dependent+cell+polarity.">Collective chemotaxis requires contact-dependent cell polarity.</a> Dev. Cell. 19 (1), 39-53 (2010).</li><li>Slack, J. M., Forman, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+interaction+between+dorsal+and+ventral+regions+of+the+marginal+zone+in+early+amphibian+embryos.">An interaction between dorsal and ventral regions of the marginal zone in early amphibian embryos.</a> J. Embryol. Exp. Morphol. 56, 283-299 (1980).</li><li>Sive, H. L., Grainger, R. M., Harland, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Embryo+dissection+and+micromanipulation+tools.">Embryo dissection and micromanipulation tools.</a> CSH Protoc. , (2007).</li><li>Nieuwkoop, P. D., Faber, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Normal+table+of+Xenopus+laevis+(Daudin):+a+systematical+and+chronological+survey+of+the+development+from+the+fertilized+egg+till+the+end+of+metamorphosis.">Normal table of Xenopus laevis (Daudin): a systematical and chronological survey of the development from the fertilized egg till the end of metamorphosis.</a> , (1994).</li><li>Theveneau, E., Mayor, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Beads+on+the+run:+beads+as+alternative+tools+for+chemotaxis+assays.">Beads on the run: beads as alternative tools for chemotaxis assays.</a> Methods Mol. Biol. 769, 449-460 (2011).</li><li>Bronner, M. E., LeDouarin, N. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+and+evolution+of+the+neural+crest:+An+overview.">Development and evolution of the neural crest: An overview.</a> Dev. Biol. 366 (1), 2-9 (2012).</li><li>Alfandari, D., Cousin, H., Gaultier, A., Hoffstrom, B. G., DeSimone, D. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Integrin+&#945;5&#946;1+supports+the+migration+of+Xenopus+cranial+neural+crest+on+fibronectin.">Integrin &#945;5&#946;1 supports the migration of Xenopus cranial neural crest on fibronectin.</a> Dev. Biol. 260 (2), 449-464 (2003).</li><li>Fort, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity+of+the+RhoU/Wrch1+GTPase+is+critical+for+cranial+neural+crest+cell+migration.">Activity of the RhoU/Wrch1 GTPase is critical for cranial neural crest cell migration.</a> Dev. Biol. 350 (2), 451-463 (2011).</li><li>Matthews, H. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Directional+migration+of+neural+crest+cells+in+vivo+is+regulated+by+Syndecan-4/Rac1+and+non-canonical+Wnt+signaling/RhoA.">Directional migration of neural crest cells in vivo is regulated by Syndecan-4/Rac1 and non-canonical Wnt signaling/RhoA.</a> Development. 135 (10), 1771-1780 (2008).</li><li>Kashef, J., K&#246;hler, A., Kuriyama, S., Alfandari, D., Mayor, R., Wedlich, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cadherin-11+regulates+protrusive+activity+in+Xenopus+cranial+neural+crest+cells+upstream+of+Trio+and+the+small+GTPases.">Cadherin-11 regulates protrusive activity in Xenopus cranial neural crest cells upstream of Trio and the small GTPases.</a> Genes Dev. 23 (12), 1393-1398 (2009).</li><li>Hwang, Y. -. S., Luo, T., Xu, Y., Sargent, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Myosin-X+is+required+for+cranial+neural+crest+cell+migration+in+Xenopus+laevis.">Myosin-X is required for cranial neural crest cell migration in Xenopus laevis.</a> Dev. Dyn. 238 (10), 2522-2529 (2009).</li><li>Lee, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modelling+pathogenesis+and+treatment+of+familial+dysautonomia+using+patient-specific+iPSCs.">Modelling pathogenesis and treatment of familial dysautonomia using patient-specific iPSCs.</a> Nature. 461 (7262), 402-406 (2009).</li><li>Mica, Y., Lee, G., Chambers, S. M., Tomishima, M. J., Studer, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modeling+Neural+Crest+Induction,+Melanocyte+Specification,+and+Disease-Related+Pigmentation+Defects+in+hESCs+and+Patient-Specific+iPSCs..">Modeling Neural Crest Induction, Melanocyte Specification, and Disease-Related Pigmentation Defects in hESCs and Patient-Specific iPSCs..</a> Cell Reports. 3 (4), 1140-1152 (2013).</li><li>Shnitsar, I., Borchers, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PTK7+recruits+dsh+to+regulate+neural+crest+migration.">PTK7 recruits dsh to regulate neural crest migration.</a> Development. 135 (24), 4015-4024 (2008).</li><li>Matthews, H. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Directional+migration+of+neural+crest+cells+in+vivo+is+regulated+by+Syndecan-4/Rac1+and+non-canonical+Wnt+signaling/RhoA.">Directional migration of neural crest cells in vivo is regulated by Syndecan-4/Rac1 and non-canonical Wnt signaling/RhoA.</a> Development. 135 (10), 1771-1780 (2008).</li><li>Matthews, H. K., Broders-Bondon, F., Thiery, J. P., Mayor, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Wnt11r+is+required+for+cranial+neural+crest+migration.">Wnt11r is required for cranial neural crest migration.</a> Dev. Dyn. 237 (11), 3404-3409 (2008).</li><li>Carmona-Fontaine, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Contact+inhibition+of+locomotion+in+vivo+controls+neural+crest+directional+migration.">Contact inhibition of locomotion in vivo controls neural crest directional migration.</a> Nature. 456 (7224), 957-961 (2008).</li><li>Guiral, E. C., Faas, L., Pownall, M. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+crest+migration+requires+the+activity+of+the+extracellular+sulphatases+XtSulf1+and+XtSulf2.">Neural crest migration requires the activity of the extracellular sulphatases XtSulf1 and XtSulf2.</a> Dev. Biol. 341 (2), 375-388 (2010).</li><li>Cousin, H., Abbruzzese, G., Kerdavid, E., Gaultier, A., Alfandari, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Translocation+of+the+Cytoplasmic+Domain+of+ADAM13+to+the+Nucleus+Is+Essential+for+Calpain8-a+Expression+and+Cranial+Neural+Crest+Cell+Migration.">Translocation of the Cytoplasmic Domain of ADAM13 to the Nucleus Is Essential for Calpain8-a Expression and Cranial Neural Crest Cell Migration.</a> Dev. Cell. 20 (2), 256-263 (2011).</li><li>Borchers, A., David, R., Wedlich, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Xenopus+cadherin-11+restrains+cranial+neural+crest+migration+and+influences+neural+crest+specification.">Xenopus cadherin-11 restrains cranial neural crest migration and influences neural crest specification.</a> Development. 128 (16), 3049-3060 (2001).</li><li>Borchers, A., Epperlein, H. -. H., Wedlich, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+assay+system+to+study+migratory+behavior+of+cranial+neural+crest+cells+in+Xenopus.">An assay system to study migratory behavior of cranial neural crest cells in Xenopus.</a> Dev. Genes Evol. 210 (4), 217-222 (2000).</li><li>Kerney, R., Gross, J. B., Hanken, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Runx2+is+essential+for+larval+hyobranchial+cartilage+formation+in+Xenopus+laevis.">Runx2 is essential for larval hyobranchial cartilage formation in Xenopus laevis.</a> Dev. Dyn. 236 (6), 1650-1662 (2007).</li><li>Yan, C. Y. I., Skourides, P., Chang, C., Samba Brivanlou, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=a+Xenopus+hnRNP+expressed+in+neural+and+neural+crest+tissues.">a Xenopus hnRNP expressed in neural and neural crest tissues.</a> Dev. Dyn. 238 (1), 204-209 (2009).</li><li>Acloque, H., Adams, M. S., Fishwick, K., Bronner-Fraser, M., Nieto, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epithelial-mesenchymal+transitions:+the+importance+of+changing+cell+state+in+development+and+disease.">Epithelial-mesenchymal transitions: the importance of changing cell state in development and disease.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 119 (6), 1438-1449 (2009).</li></ol>

This protocol describes an easy technique to explant premigratory cranial NC in X. laevis embryos. The embryos used for such experiments need to be robust and heal well. Discard any batch of unhealthy embryos. In addition, grow embryos at various temperatures (from 12 to 18-20 &#176;C), in order to excise neural crest at stage 17 and not later. After stage 17, neural crest may be mixed with cephalic mesoderm and cannot be removed completely. Xenopus tissues heal quickly and then loose their adh...

The neural crest (NC) is a transient embryonic cell population that emerges from the neural tube at the end of neurulation in vertebrate embryos. The signaling and genetic events that control NC specification start as early as gastrulation. The NC is specified at the border between the neural and non-neural ectoderm by signals from surrounding dorsal tissues. At the end of neurulation, NC cells undergo an epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT) and migrate extensively in the embryo following stereotyped routes&#160;by responding to surrounding guiding cues. Once they have reached their final destination, they differentiate into a vast array of derivatives, e.g. neurons, glia, bone, cartilage, and pigmented cells1-5. Because of their contribution to many cell types and embryonic tissues, defects at any step of NC cells development, from induction to final differentiation, can cause congenital syndromes named neurocristopathies6. Experimental manipulation of the developing NC at different stages - specification, EMT, migration, and differentiation - will improve our understanding of neurocristopathies and allow design of potential therapeutic strategies.
The Xenopus laevis embryo is a model of choice to study NC development. Large numbers of embryos are easy to obtain, and external fertilization gives access to the very first steps of development. Many tools are available to experimentally manipulate X. laevis embryonic development. Gene gain-of-function and knockdown are easy to perform by microinjecting individual cells of early blastulas. Embryonic tissues can be cut for in vitro reassociation 7-11 or back-grafting assays12,13.
In this protocol, we describe how to dissect out premigratory cranial NC in X. laevis late neurulas, prior to migration. These explants can be cultured on fibronectin-coated plates to study migration and differentiation in controlled in vitro experimental conditions. NC explants can also be grafted into normal or manipulated host embryos to study their migration and differentiation in vivo.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="601">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:244px;">Fibronectin from bovine plasma</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">F4759-1MG</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:244px;">Bovine Serum Albumine. Fraction V</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Euromedex</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">04-100-811-C</td>
			<td>Lower quality grade may&#160; be suitable for this application</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:244px;">Stainless Steel Insect Pins. Size 000</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">FST</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:119px;">26001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:244px;">Dumont #5 forceps 0.05 mm x 0.02 mm</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">FST</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11252-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

dissection of xenopus laevis neural crest for in vitro explant culture or in vivo transplantation

The neural crest (NC) is a transient dorsal neural tube cell population that undergoes an epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT) at the end of neurulation, migrates extensively towards various organs, and differentiates into many types of derivatives (neurons, glia, cartilage and bone, pigmented and endocrine cells). In this protocol, we describe how to dissect the premigratory cranial NC from Xenopus laevis embryos, in order to study NC development in vivo and in vitro. The frog model offers many advantages to study early development; abundant batches are available, embryos develop rapidly, in vivo gain and loss of function strategies allow manipulation of gene expression prior to NC dissection in donor and/or host embryos. The NC explants can be plated on fibronectin and used for in vitro studies. They can be cultured for several days in a serum-free defined medium. We also describe how to graft NC explants back into host embryos for studying NC migration and differentiation in vivo.

When plated on fibronectin, the neural crest explants attach rapidly (15-30 min) and the explant spreads flat within 2 hr (Figure 1A). After 3-6 hr cells start to scatter. At 24 hr at 15 &#176;C, many cells have started to migrate away from the explant (Figures 1B and 1C). Yolk makes cells very bright under phase contrast (Figure 1B). Cell protrusions (filopodes and lamellipodes) are clearly visible after phalloidin staining of the actin cytoskeleton (<s...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Dissection of Xenopus laevis Neural Crest for in vitro Explant Culture or in vivo Transplantation at JoVE.com

Dissection of Xenopus laevis Neural Crest for in vitro Explant Culture or in vivo Transplantation

This protocol describes how to dissect premigratory cranial neural crest (NC) from Xenopus laevis neurulas. These explants can be plated on fibronectin and cultured in vitro, or grafted back into host embryos. This technique allows studying the mechanisms of NC epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition, migration, and differentiation.

Dissection of Xenopus laevis Neural Crest for in vitro Explant Culture or in vivo Transplantation

The neural crest (NC) is a transient dorsal neural tube cell population that undergoes an epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT) at the end of ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Dissection of Organizer and Animal Pole Explants from Xenopus laevis Embryos and Assembly of a Cell Adhesion Assay

Plastic Embedding and Sectioning of Xenopus laevis Embryos

Obtaining Eggs from Xenopus laevis Females

The eggs of Xenopus laevis intact, lysed, and/or fractionated are useful for a wide variety of experiments. This protocol shows how to induce egg laying, ...

Preparation and Fractionation of Xenopus laevis Egg Extracts

Crude and fractionated Xenopus egg extracts can be used to provide ingredients for reconstituting cellular processes for morphological and biochemical ...

Microinjection of Xenopus Laevis Oocytes

Microinjection of Xenopus laevis oocytes followed by thin-sectioning electron microscopy (EM) is an excellent system for studying nucleocytoplasmic ...

Tissue Determination Using the Animal Cap Transplant (ACT) Assay in Xenopus laevis

Tissue Determination Using the Animal Cap Transplant ACT Assay in Xenopus laevis

Many proteins play a dual role in embryonic development. Those that regulate cell fate determination in a specific tissue can also affect the development ...

Production of Transgenic Xenopus laevis by Restriction Enzyme Mediated Integration and Nuclear Transplantation

Production of Transgenic Xenopus laevis by Restriction Enzyme Mediated Integration and Nuclear Transplantation

Stable integration of cloned gene products into the Xenopus genome is necessary to control the time and place of expression, to express genes at later ...

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The protocol presented here is designed to study the activation of the large conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels. The protocol may ...

Facial Transplants in Xenopus laevis Embryos

Facial Transplants in Xenopus laevis Embryos

Craniofacial birth defects occur in 1 out of every 700 live births, but etiology is rarely known due to limited understanding of craniofacial development. ...