抄録
The neural tube consisting of neural precursor cells gives rise to the central nervous system. A simple enzymatic method has been established to isolate precursor cells. In primary culture, precursor cells proliferate and differentiate. Immortaliza tion of precursor cells made it possible to establish lines which proliferate and produce differentiated cells. Two different methods were taken to immortalize precursor cells. The first is to introduce oncogenes into precursor cells in culture, and the second is to isolate lines from tumors developed in transgenic mice. These lines will be powerful tools to study developmental biology, bio chemistry, molecular biology and electrophysiology of the central nervous system.
