During neurogenesis, neuroepithelial (NE) cells transform into radial glia. Epithelial features such as tight junctions are downregulated in favor of adherens junctions. Glial hallmarks begin to emerge, including astrocyte markers and morphological features such as glycogen granules.
Vimentin
An intermediate filament protein whose expression is upregulated during the epithelial to mesenchymal transition of NE cells to radial glia and persists until astrocyte development
Rhesus monkey brain tissue sections stained with ab92547).
anti-vimentin (Vimentin inhibitor and antiangiogenic agent: Withaferin A (ab120644)
PAX6
A transcription factor that promotes neurogenesis.
Mouse embryonic (E12.5) brain sections stained with anti-PAX6 (ab5790).
HES1 and HES5
Transcription factors that regulate the maintenance of radial glia.
Mouse brain tissue sections stained with anti-HES5 (red) (ab25374).
Astrocytic markers: GFAP, GLAST, and BLBP
These astrocytic markers emerge as neuroepithelial cells become radial glia.
Rat embryonic (E16) spinal cord sections stained with anti-BLBP (ab32423).
Downregulator of GFAP expression: Methylprednisolone (ab142007)
Adhesion and extracellular matrix molecules: TN-C and N-cadherin
Upregulation of adhesion and extracellular matrix proteins accompanies the transformation of NE cells into radial glia.
Mouse embryonic coronal cortical section stained with anti-N -cadherin (red) (ab76011).
Nestin
An intermediate filament protein in NE cells and radial glia, whose expression persists until astrocyte development.
Rat adult brain tissue sections stained with anti-nestin (ab6142).
SOX2
A transcription factor and the earliest marker of the neural plate. It is expressed in proliferating cells and those that acquire glial fates, but downregulated in post-mitotic neurons.
Chicken embryonic (E7) brain tissue sections stained with anti-SOX2 (ab97959).