Initiation of neural induction by FGF signalling before gastrulation

During neural induction, the 'organizer' of the vertebrate embryo instructs neighbouring ectodermal cells to become nervous system rather than epidermis. This process is generally thought to occur around the mid-gastrula stage of embryogenesis(1). Here we report the isolation of ERNI, an early response gene to signals from the organizer (Hensen's node). Using ERNI as a marker, we present evidence that neural induction begins before gastrulation - much earlier in development than previously thought. We show that the organizer and some of its precursor cells produce a fibroblast growth factor signal, which can initiate, and is required for, neural induction.