# Mechanisms of neural tube closure

> **NIH NIH R01** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2020 · $370,781

## Abstract

Neural tube closure is a morphogenetic process that involves complex behaviors of
polarized neural plate cells. With more than 200 genes implicated in this process in
genetic models, neural tube abnormalities are among the most common human birth
defects. Nevertheless, mechanisms of neural tube closure remain poorly understood and
the available vertebrate models are limited. Our preliminary experiments have identified a
unique polarization of several proteins in the plane of the Xenopus neural plate and
demonstrated that this polarity requires the functions of both planar cell polarity (PCP)
and apical-basal polarity proteins. The proposed studies will carry out live imaging of the
neural plate using a novel fluorescent sensor. New molecules that physically associate
with the PCP complex will be identified using a novel proximity- and complementation-
based biotinylation approach combined with mass spectrometry. The involvement of the
apical-basal polarity proteins in PCP signaling during neural tube closure will also be
evaluated. Xenopus embryos are easily accessible at any developmental stage and are
uniquely suited for these studies, allowing rapid analysis of protein localization and
function through a combination of biochemical, embryological and cell biological
approaches. These experiments will shed light on basic signaling mechanisms that
underlie normal development of the central nervous system. The proposed studies are
highly relevant to human health, because misregulation of these signaling pathways
leads to brain and neural tube defects and a variety of neurological disorders.  
 .

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9828781
- **Project number:** 5R01NS100759-03
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Sergei Sokol
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $370,781
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-12-15 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9828781

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9828781, Mechanisms of neural tube closure (5R01NS100759-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9828781. Licensed CC0.

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