Microtubules, interkinetic nuclear migration and neurulation

Abstract

The hypotheses dealing with mechanisms of neurulation are reviewed briefly. The phenomenon of interkinetic nuclear migration is thought to be an important factor to be considered in the invagination of the neuroepithelium in the chick embryo. Evidence is presented that implicates cytoplasmic microtubules in this phenomenon. It is suggested that microtubules not only participate in cell elongation but also that they are involved, through interkinetic nuclear migration, in the broadening of the basal region of the cells; this widening progressively creates the strain that ensures the invagination of the neuroepithelium.