Fate Regulation of Mouse Neocortical Neural Precursor Cells

Abstract

This review article briefly summarizes recent findings on the stage- dependent fate change of mouse neocortical neural precursor cells. The central nervous system in mammals consists of various types of neurons as well as glial cells, which are all derived from common precursor cells, aka, neural precursor cells. During development, neurogenesis precedes gliogenesis, although the underlying mechanisms of this temporal fate switch remain unclear. This article describes general ideas regarding this fate switch regulated by extrinsic and intrinsic cell fate determinants.