A key player in apico-basal polarity establishment and maintenance in RG are adherens junctions (AJ). These structures, composed of cadherins and catenins, ensure the cell-cell contacts between the apical membranes of RG and maintain the tissue compact at the ventricular surface (Veeraval et al., 2020) (Figure 3A). AJ recruit polarity proteins, such as Crumbs, Par and Scribble complexes (Jossin, 2020; Singh and Solecki, 2015). These complexes have crucial roles in signalling pathways that help maintain AJ and polarity. Numerous studies show that when these contacts are lost, RG can detach from the ventricular surface with an impact on their polarity, proliferation, and ultimately corticogenesis.

Disrupting apical adhesion components can give rise to periventricular heterotopia (PVH), a phenotype associated with breaks in the ventricular boundary (Klingler et al., 2021; Romero et al., 2018). FAT4 and DCHS1 are protocadherin proteins, respectively receptor and ligand, that are apically located but distinct from AJ and act upstream of the Hippo signalling pathway. Absence of either protein of the pair, through knockdown experiments in mouse, was shown to lead to an accumulation of RG in the SVZ, due to cell detachment, associated with a PVH-like phenotype (Cappello et al., 2013) (Figure 2B, right). Importantly, mutations in FAT4 and DCHS1 have been identified in individuals (from four and three families respectively) with Van Maldergem syndrome, an autosomal recessive condition characterized by intellectual disability, craniofacial malformations and PVH (Cappello et al., 2013).

In mouse mutants for αE-catenin, the AJ are heavily disrupted, the ventricular surface is disorganized and RG lose their polarity, with disorganized and almost absent processes (Lien et al., 2006; Schmid et al., 2014). Some internalized rosette structures, where cells maintain contact with each other, were observed (Lien et al., 2006). Dlgap4 is a synaptic scaffolding protein also expressed in RG, and knockdown experiments in the mouse lead to a disrupted ventricular boundary, with reduced expression of actin, catenin and cadherin. RG fibers are also disorganised (Romero et al., 2022). Moreover, the authors identified DLGAP4 mutations in patients presenting heterotopias and cortical malformations (Romero et al., 2022) (Figure 2D). For additional human genetic information please see Ferent et al., 2020.

Llgl1 is the mammalian ortholog of a Drosophila cell polarity gene. This protein makes a link between polarity complexes and AJ (Jossin, 2020; Jossin et al., 2017). Mutations in this gene lead to a phenotype similar to αE-catenin mutants, with RG internalized above the ventricular surface, forming rosettes where the polarity complexes are still detectable and from which RG processes extend outside (Jossin et al., 2017) (Figure 2D).

Another renowned study shows that the AJ specific protein Plekha7 plays a critical role in keeping RG attached at the ventricular surface, as shown by inactivation experiments that lead to RG delamination (Tavano et al., 2018). This is most likely due to Plekha7 interaction with proteins (e.g., of the nectin system and CAMSAPs) that make a link with the cytoskeleton, as suggested by the authors in the discussion. Physiologically, a timely regulated repression of Plekha7 by the transcription factor Insm1 is crucial for delamination of RG to give rise to more basally localized progenitors (Tavano et al., 2018) (Figure 2A, right).

Thus, these examples emphasize how the regulation of AJ complexes and apical adhesion is associated with forming and maintaining RG morphology and polarity.

Other apical structures such as the centrosome and PC assist in establishing polarity [e.g., see Francis and Cappello (2021) for review]. The PC is an antenna-like structure that acts as a signalling hub by protruding in the CSF to capture signals, and the centrosome is crucial for its formation [reviewed in Zaidi et al. (2022)] (Figure 3A). Defects in these organelles can impact RG polarity and lead to abnormalities in cortical development.

Showing the major role of PC in maintaining RG polarity, deletion of Arl13b, a cilia-specific small GTPase, in mouse cortical progenitors led to a reversal of RG apico-basal polarity and abnormal neuronal positioning (Higginbotham et al., 2013) (Figure 2E). This is likely to be due to improper receptor localization at the PC, impacting downstream signalling, as shown for the IgfR1 receptor (Higginbotham et al., 2013). Mutations in ARL13B are also linked with Joubert syndrome, where patients present cortical malformations and intellectual disability.

Defective centrosomes were observed in mice mutants for Eml1, a microtubule (MT) associated protein (Zaidi et al., 2024). This mutation is associated with apical RG cell detachment leading to subcortical heterotopia (SH) (Figure 2B, left), a cortical malformation characterized by large clusters of neurons in the white matter. In this study, in accordance with other works on the same mutation both in mouse and human models, defects were revealed in the PC as well, which were shorter due to the mutation (Jabali et al., 2022; Uzquiano et al., 2019; Zaidi et al., 2024). The centrosome and PC defects were partially rescued upon Epothilone D (EpoD) treatment (Jabali et al., 2022; Zaidi et al., 2024), an MT polymerizing and stabilizing agent. Mutations in EML1 are found in patients from eight families, who display SH, epilepsy and intellectual disability (Markus et al., 2021).

Furthermore, upon conditional loss of the centriolar protein SAS4, RG lose their attachment in the VZ, move away and ultimately die, leading to microcephaly in mice, as observed in patients with mutations for SAS4 (Insolera et al., 2014). Mutant cells lose their centrosome and PC, highlighting their role in RG positioning. CEP83 is also involved in anchorage of centrosomes to the apical membrane. When the gene is mutated, the organization of MTs at the apical surface is affected, possibly altering the mechanical properties of the membrane that becomes wider and more stretched (Shao et al., 2020). Intellectual disability and occasionally hydrocephalus are observed in patients with mutant CEP83 (Failler et al., 2014).

Thus, we cite examples showing that these linked apical organelles are crucial for RG integrity.

The Golgi apparatus receives, modifies and sorts proteins and lipids to different cell compartments and it is therefore crucial for membrane trafficking (Ravichandran et al., 2020). This will ultimately play a role in cell polarity, as different and specialized regions of the cells require specific lipid and protein compositions.

In RG, it has been shown that the Golgi apparatus is confined in the apical process and is not generally in close proximity with the centrosomes (Taverna et al., 2016). Post-Golgi secretory transport of vesicles was shown to be important in apical processes [(Brault et al., 2022), see also Cytoskeleton section] (Figure 3A). The Golgi apparatus was found to be absent in the basal process, whereas the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be found throughout the RG cell (Rash et al., 2018; Taverna et al., 2016) (Figures 3A, C). A later study (Coquand et al., 2021) identified secretory machinery resembling trans-Golgi elements in varicosities of the basal process, playing also a role in MT nucleation (Figure 3C) Nevertheless, cis and medial Golgi elements were not identified, confirming the findings of Taverna et al. In basal progenitors that are not attached apically, the Golgi apparatus becomes associated with the centrosome.

Golgipathies have been linked to microcephaly (presumably affecting RG), and can also involve PC defects [see Passemard et al. (2019); Masson and ElGhouzzi (2022) for further details]. Also, in a model of aberrant RG apical detachment linked to heterotopia (Uzquiano et al., 2019), VZ RG showed abnormal Golgi apparatuses, such as a lower number of Golgi elements and reduced extension of the organelle within the apical process. Golgi anterograde trafficking was shown to be affected. This suggests that changes in polarity (here loss of apical processes), in healthy or pathological conditions, can lead to (or be caused by) reorganization of the Golgi apparatus.

Mitochondria are key organelles for the proper functioning and survival of a cell. Mitochondria are found in RG cell soma as well as both apical and basal processes and interestingly they seem to be enriched in endfeet (Rash et al., 2018) (Figures 3A, C). A study performed on Xenopus neural progenitors showed mitochondria distributed all over the cell. However, they also seemed to be asymmetrically distributed in dividing cells around the cell soma and this, together with mitochondrial remodelling, is likely to be linked to cell fate in multiple organisms (Feng et al., 2023; Iwata et al., 2020; Iwata and Vanderhaeghen, 2021).

Mitochondria transport has been observed along RG processes in organotypic brain slices and this transport is likely to be Ca²⁺ dependent, indeed local calcium release slows mitochondrial movement (Rash et al., 2018). This team had observed previously that Ca²⁺ is able to propagate bidirectionally through RG processes, its source residing in the ER, and this is particularly high in RG endfeet (Rash et al., 2016), possibly explaining mitochondria enrichment at this location. In hyperglycaemic conditions, that affect glucose metabolism and therefore mitochondria, RG processes collapse, and slower mitochondria transport is observed (Rash et al., 2018). Whether this could be at the origin of any cortical malformation is not yet known, although perhaps likely.

A recent study on the human-specific protein ARHGAP11B described its role in mitochondria (negative regulation of membrane permeability), and notably it regulates the transition of apical to basal RG by stimulating glutaminolysis (Xing et al., 2024).

These results show how mitochondria localization, distribution and function in apical RG help maintain the bi-polarity of these cells.

The basal process protruding from the soma of RG spans the entire thickness of the cortex to contact the pial surface. It has the crucial role of providing a scaffold for neuronal migration during corticogenesis [extensively reviewed in (Meyerink et al., 2020)] (Figure 1B). We discuss here specifically its maintenance.

As mentioned in the introduction, RG can divide through asymmetric division to give rise to a daughter RG together with an IP, bRG, or a neuron. How basal process inheritance plays a role in cell fate outcome has been the subject of several debates.

A pioneer study showed that the daughter neuron inherits the basal process, while the progenitor will regrow a new one (Miyata et al., 2001), but the consensus is now that the basal process is largely inherited by the progenitor daughter cells (Alexandre et al., 2010; Konno et al., 2008; Tsunekawa et al., 2012). Inheritance of both apical and basal processes is hypothesized to be important for self-renewal capabilities (Konno et al., 2008). CyclinD2, localized in the basal endfoot of RG, is asymmetrically inherited by the most basal daughter cell and will dictate self-renewing fate. Overexpression and knockdown experiments, altering asymmetric distribution of CyclinD2, perturb RG cell fate output (Tsunekawa et al., 2012). Live imaging in zebrafish neural tube also showed that the most basal daughter cell inherits the basal process and commits to progenitor fate (Alexandre et al., 2010).

The basal process is also inherited by proliferating bRG, often originally generated through oblique cell division (Penisson et al., 2019; Shitamukai et al., 2011, see also Cytoskeleton section). Therefore, is clear that the basal process plays a key role in RG polarity (see also Extracellular signals section).

The cytoskeleton is composed of intermediate filaments, actin filaments and MTs and is critical for RG structure. For example, treatment of the RG-like cell line C6-R with drugs such as nocodazole and taxol, disrupting MT dynamics, leads to the alteration of their bipolar morphology with cells losing their processes, showing the crucial importance of these components (Li et al., 2003). We also cite here examples of specific proteins influencing different aspects of the cytoskeleton.

The Lis1-Nde1 complex stabilizes the dystrophin/dystroglycan glycoprotein complex (DGC), allowing the formation of a multi-protein complex that links the actin and MT cytoskeletons of RG to the extracellular matrix (ECM), helping with the maintenance of radial morphology and cell-cell adhesion (see also Extracellular components section). Lis1-Nde1 mutations were found to cause deformed and disjointed RG that impaired self-renewal and neuronal migration as a consequence. Functional insufficiencies of LIS1, NDE1 and dystroglycan are all known to cause lissencephaly syndromes in patients (Pawlisz and Feng, 2011). Deletion of Eml1, mentioned above, also affects MT growth and dynamics, with partial rescue of the resulting SH phenotype achieved upon treatment with Epothilone D (Zaidi et al., 2024), which also rescued centrosome and PC phenotypes (Jabali et al., 2022; Zaidi et al., 2024).

Related to the actin cytoskeleton, as stated previously, deletion of αE-catenin in the developing mouse cortex leads to severe disruption of RG polarity and subsequently to the formation of SH, and this is caused by the uncoupling of AJ with intracellular actin fibres, leading to an increased subcellular G-actin/F-actin ratio (Schmid et al., 2014). Deletion of the small GTPase RhoA leads to the migrational disorders of SH and cobblestone lissencephaly (Figure 2B, left and 2C) as a result of a defective RG scaffold, disrupted upon destabilization of both the actin and MT cytoskeletons (Cappello et al., 2012). Other actin modulator Rho-GTPases, Cdc42 and Rac1, were also shown to affect RG morphology when mutated (Cappello et al., 2006; Leone et al., 2010; Yokota et al., 2010). Furthermore, mTOR signaling, which is associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders, is found to regulate basal RG morphology and neuronal migration by modulating Rho-GTPase-mediated organization of the actin cytoskeleton (Andrews et al., 2020). Dlgap4, mentioned above, also impacts actin cytoskeleton dynamics, affecting RG morphology and causing a ventricular surface (PVH) phenotype in mouse and SH in human (Romero et al., 2022) (Figure 2D, right).

Nestin, vimentin and GFAP are well known intermediate filament markers for glia, including RG (de Reus et al., 2024). RG are likely to also strictly require these less well-studied structural proteins (Li et al., 2021), potentially aiding organelle movement and distribution.

Apart from the maintenance of RG morphology and scaffolding, the cytoskeleton also plays an important role in the process of INM. For completeness in this review, we mention this crucial RG process.

During cell cycle progression, the nuclei of apical RG move between apical and basal sides of the VZ. The nuclei move away from the apical surface towards the basal side during G1 phase, undergo S phase at the basal position, and return towards the apical side during G2 phase for mitosis (Figure 3B). INM in mammalian apical RG is mediated by MT-based processes, and the apical to basal movement is driven at least in part by the actin-myosin system and displacement by active apical nuclear movement (Kosodo et al., 2011; Schenk et al., 2009; Spear and Erickson, 2012; Tsai et al., 2010). MTs and the minus end directed motor protein dynein are important for the basal to apical movement and kinesin for basally directed nuclear movement (Tsai et al., 2010) (Figure 3B). Concerning daughter cells, the one that inherits the basal process (committed to progenitor fate, as described in Section 1) will move the nucleus more quickly away from the apical region compared to sibling cells generated in a morphologically unpolarized manner, helping to avoid overcrowding during INM. Indeed, removal of the basal process by inhibition of TAG-1, a glycoprotein involved in adhesion (see also Extracellular section below), results in abnormally highly-packed progenitors apically, which will detach and lead to heterotopia (Okamoto et al., 2013). Daughter cell polarity hence contributes to correct corticogenesis.

A number of MT or MT motor associated proteins when impaired lead to a disrupted INM in the neocortex of rodents. Disruption of factors that impact the organization and integrity of MT such as CEP120, TACCs, Hook3, PCM1 and TPX2, were found to impact INM (Ge et al., 2010; Kosodo et al., 2011; Xie et al., 2007).

Furthermore, the mutation of dynein regulators such as Lis1 and NudC also impact this process (Cappello et al., 2011; Tsai et al., 2005). Blebbistatin inhibition of non-muscle myosin II at low concentrations to selectively inhibit the INM in RG while maintaining the structural integrity in slice cultures revealed that there was selective impairment of apical to basal nuclear migration. Indeed, this movement requires myosin II mediated constriction of the apical process which pushes the nucleus in the basal direction (Schenk et al., 2009). In addition, inhibition of the PITP/ncPCP- signaling pathway is found to impair INM and in turn tangential expansion of the cortex by deregulating actomyosin activity in the nuclear periphery of RG (Xie and Bankaitis, 2022).

Thus, multiple pathways are crucial for INM, allowing polarized movements within RG and correct cell cycle.

The formation of the oriented mitotic spindle, an MT-based structure in apical RG, ensures proper chromosomal segregation and inheritance of cell fate determinants by controlling the angle of division (di Pietro et al., 2016; Matsuzaki and Shitamukai, 2015). The orientation of the mitotic spindle therefore affects cell lineage specification of the progeny.

While early apical RG predominantly exhibit vertical cleavage plane divisions, conditional deletion of Afadin for example, and overexpression of Inscuteable in mouse are found to increase oblique divisions favoring the production of IPs (Fish et al., 2008; Postiglione et al., 2011; Rakotomamonjy et al., 2017). The bRG cells in human may be increasingly produced by horizontal cleavage plane divisions of the ventricular apical RG [Lamonica et al. (2013), see also Penisson et al. (2019) for further discussion]. Clearly division angles and polarity (choice of apical or basal process inheritance or re-growth) must be linked, although little is known concerning these regulatory steps.

It is known though that genes that are implicated in microcephaly are often involved in centrosome biogenesis and maturation, and/or spindle orientation (Noatynska et al., 2012). Mouse Aspm protein is normally localized at the mitotic spindle poles of NECs and is downregulated upon the switch from proliferative to neurogenic divisions. RNA interference (RNAi) of Aspm leads to changes in the perpendicular orientation of cleavage planes, most probably causing increased asymmetric divisions, favoring thus neurogenic over proliferative divisions (Fish et al., 2006). Human mutant ASPM cortical organoids displayed transient randomization of mitotic spindle orientation leading to precocious generation of bRG while depleting the amplification of ventricular apical progenitors (Benthem et al., 2023). Deletion of Mcph1 in mouse led to uncoupling of mitosis and the centrosomal cycle causing premature mitotic entry, upon Chk1 not localizing to the centrosome. This led to a shift in the alignment of the mitotic spindle favoring neurogenic cell fate over the proliferation of progenitors (Gruber et al., 2011). Similarly, deletion of factors which are important for centrosomes such as CDK5RAP2, CPAP, STIL and CEP63 also led to spindle orientation defects (Garcez et al., 2015; Kitagawa et al., 2011; Lizarraga et al., 2010; Marjanović et al., 2015).

Deletion of the lissencephaly gene Lis1 results in less stable astral MTs and causes defects in mitotic spindle positioning, increasing premature asymmetric neurogenic divisions and reducing the cell number (Yingling et al., 2008). Mutations in Lis1 related proteins such as Magoh, Dcx and NdeI also result in spindle orientation defects (Feng and Walsh, 2004; Pramparo et al., 2010; Silver et al., 2010). Mitotic spindle lengths were also found to be abnormally long in the apical progenitors of Eml1 mutant mice which exhibit excessive RG delamination (Bizzotto et al., 2017). It is possible in this case that mechanical forces are changed in the VZ, consequently altering apical RG attachment.

The MT cytoskeleton is important for the polarized transport of cargoes to the apical and basal ends of RG (Wimmer and Baffet, 2023). Subcellular live imaging of mouse brain tissue revealed that most of the MTs in the apical process emanated from the pericentrosomal region with an apical to basal direction (Figure 3A). On the other hand, MTs in the basal fibres of apical RG and human basal RG were oriented in both directions (however with a basal bias) emanating from the acentrosomal MT organizing centres localized in varicosities of the basal fibre (mentioned above), dependent on the CAMSAP family of proteins, in addition to those emanating from the centrosome (Coquand et al., 2021) (Figure 3C).

Memo1, critical for RG tiling (non-randomly arranged and regularly interspaced RG basal processes) during neocortical development, was found to regulate MT stability and dynamics of the basal process. Deficiency of Memo1 led to disrupted CAMSAP2 distribution at MT minus ends leading to aberrant branching of MTs and alteration of polarized trafficking of the basal domain protein Gpr56 (Nakagawa et al., 2019) (see also section Local translation).

The apical MT network in RG helps with the transport of cargoes from the Golgi apparatus to the apical surface via dynein-based transport mechanisms. The apical post-Golgi transport of Crumbs via Rab6+ vesicles was shown to be important for apical polarity complexes and the maintenance of apical junctions. Deletion of the dynein activator and lissencephaly gene Lis1, or Rab6, disrupts this transport leading to the loss of apical AJ and cell delamination (Brault et al., 2022).

Mutations in ARFGEF2 are associated with microcephaly and PVH in patients. Inhibition of the ARFGEF2 encoded protein BIG2 in MDCK cells led to the disruption of trafficking of E-cadherin and β-catenin from the Golgi apparatus to the cell surface, showing that vesicular trafficking is important for normal human cerebral cortical development (Sheen et al., 2004). It seems likely that apical trafficking in RG may be disrupted explaining the PVH phenotype. As mentioned above, Eml1 loss of function in mouse impaired post-Golgi vesicular trafficking, including of selected PC proteins such as SSTR3 and PKD2, which will have an impact on RG structure and function (Uzquiano et al., 2019; Zaidi et al., 2024). Thus, there are multiple examples suggesting a link between intracellular trafficking and RG morphology, attachment, polarity and corticogenesis (see also below Local translation section).

RG structure is clearly influenced from signals received in the CSF, e.g., through PC (Figure 3A). In addition, cell-cell and cell-environment contribute in shaping their structure.

Growth factors such as FGF2, EGF, IGF, BDNF and TGF-β1 were shown to influence the proliferation and maintenance of RG (Bartkowska et al., 2007; Kang et al., 2009; Lamus et al., 2020; Raballo et al., 2000; Stipursky et al., 2015; Zappaterra and Lehtinen, 2012). As an example, injection of TGF-β1 into the embryonic ventricles at E14 led to notably disorganized RG fibres (Stipursky et al., 2015).

Other secreted factors from distant sources e.g., found in embryonic CSF, such as Bmp, Wnt, Shh, and from more local sources e.g., nearby cells producing for example, Neuregulins, Retinoic acid and Reelin, can also influence RG behaviour and maintenance [see (Ferent et al., 2020) for further details]. Glial growth factor secreted by neurons migrating along RG fibres was shown to positively influence the growth of the RG fibre which is critical for neuronal migration (Anton et al., 1997).

Biallelic missense mutations in endothelin converting enzyme-2 (ECE2) have been found to be associated with PVH in human (Buchsbaum et al., 2020). Knockdown and overexpression of ECE2/Ece2 in human cortical organoids and developing mouse tissue led to changes in the bipolar morphology of RG and the mispositioning of ectopic neurons in the VZ. Proteomic analyses of ECE2 KO human cortical organoids revealed downregulation of ECM components and receptors such as laminins, lumican, decorin and six different collagens (Buchsbaum et al., 2020).

Cajal-Retzius neurons are found in the most superficial layer of the developing cortex, in the MZ. Reelin, a glycoprotein secreted from Cajal-Retzius cells was shown to influence apical-basal radial processes (Hartfuss et al., 2003; Supèr et al., 2000; Zhao et al., 2004) and branching of the basal processes (Chai et al., 2015). Other secreted factors from Cajal-Retzius cells almost certainly also influence these processes [e.g., see (Borello and Pierani, 2010)].

BDNF is known to influence the growth of the basal process and therefore the RG scaffold by activating a Ca2+ activated chloride channel Anoctamin 1. Lack of radial process extension in Ano1-KO mice leads to disorganization of cortical layers and significantly reduced cortical thickness (Hong et al., 2019).

Expression of ECM components identified through several mouse and human transcriptome and proteome analyses, such as laminins, proteoglycans, dystroglycans and collagens (also mentioned above) were shown to influence the proliferation of apical and basal progenitors (Buchsbaum et al., 2020; Fietz et al., 2012; Florio et al., 2015; Kalebic and Huttner, 2020; Pollen et al., 2015). In addition, they also play a role in the formation and maintenance of the RG scaffold. Indeed, the basal process terminates with an endfoot that contacts the meningeal basement membrane (BM) and these contacts are mediated by the above mentioned proteins (Graus-Porta et al., 2001; Haubst et al., 2006; Myshrall et al., 2012; Radakovits et al., 2009) (Figure 3C).

Laminin is important for maintaining the structural integrity of the BM. Mutations in Laminin beta-1 (LAMB1) lead to cobblestone-lissencephaly in patients, caused by over-migration of neurons upon detachment of the basal endfeet of RG (Radmanesh et al., 2013). Similarly, targeted deletion of the nidogen-binding site within the laminin γ1 chain and deletion of perlecan in mice also lead to disruption of the BM and formation of neuronal ectopias that resemble the cobblestone-lissencephaly phenotype (Haubst et al., 2006) (Figure 2C).

Upon loss of β1 integrin, basal endfeet lose their anchoring to the BM and RG fibres appear irregular (Graus-Porta et al., 2001; Haubst et al., 2006; Radakovits et al., 2009). Moreover, in β1 integrin mutants this is followed by RG death, as observed with apoptotic markers as well as live imaging. These phenotypes are undetectable after E15, suggesting that signals from the meninges are crucial for RG survival, particularly in early development, which ultimately affects proper cortex development (Haubst et al., 2006; Radakovits et al., 2009). Later on, attachment to the BM becomes crucial for RG integrity and neuronal composition as observed in a laminin mutant where GABAergic interneurons populate the outer regions of the cortical plate, where Math2+ pyramidal neurons are not detected (Haubst et al., 2006; Myshrall et al., 2012).

Examples of signals downstream of β1 integrin include kinases MAPK, shown to influence cell survival of neural stem cells in culture (Campos et al., 2004), and ILK, that has been shown to regulate neuronal polarity, as its inhibition led to perturbed axon formation, but did not affect dendrites (Niewmierzycka et al., 2005). FAK, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, also regulates cell growth and survival, and its deletion in the mouse brain leads to perturbed basal endfeet, either unattached to the BM or protruding into neuronal ectopias resembling cobblestone lissencephaly (Beggs et al., 2003). Blocking the fixation of laminin to its ligand β1 integrin in mouse cerebral cortex also led to the detachment of RG apical processes, suggesting the similar importance of the laminin-integrin interaction for the maintenance of apical process (Loulier et al., 2009).

Dystroglycan, another ECM component and a cell surface laminin receptor protein, is essential for the maintenance of BM integrity (Henry and Campbell, 1998). Conditional inactivation of Dag-1 encoding dystroglycan in mouse embryonic cortex led to pial BM disruption and formation of neuronal ectopias in the meninges (Myshrall et al., 2012). Similarly, patients showing defective O-glycosylation of α-dystroglycan display several brain abnormalities including neuronal over-migration causing a cobblestone cortex (Van Reeuwijk et al., 2005) (Figure 2C).

TAG1/contactin-2 (Transient axonal glycoprotein-1), mentioned previously, is a cell surface molecule expressed in the basal region of the cortical wall. It is important for the maintenance of RG basal processes and knockdown of TAG1 was shown to cause basal process retraction and ectopic progenitors in mouse (Okamoto et al., 2013). Activation of Notch was also shown to promote radial morphology of RG clones through increased expression of BLBP and the cell adhesion molecule nidogen, which binds to laminin (Li H. et al., 2008).

Finally, deletion of Gpr56, a GTPase expressed in basal endfeet, leads to disruption of the BM and endfeet breakout through the broken meninges (Li S. et al., 2008), suggesting that it might regulate proper endfeet anchorage at the pial surface. GPR56 mutations in human give rise to cobblestone lissencephaly and polymicrogyria (Jaglin and Chelly, 2009) (Figure 2C). Furthermore, with the inhibition of Follistatin like-1, a secreted glycoprotein from the pial BM, the RG basal processes were no longer found to be parallel to each other and their basal endfeet exhibited greater density and branching (Liu et al., 2015). For further human genetic information please see Ferent et al. (2020).

Thus, pial surface interactions are critical for retaining RG morphology and function, influencing brain development. These multiple examples show the importance of short and long-distance extracellular molecules influencing RG structure and polarity.