Reduced junctional permeability at interrhombomeric boundaries.

Intercellular communication is considered to have a role during pattern specification processes in early embryonic development. This report analyzes the changing gap junctional communication properties of chick neuroepithelial cells depending on their position relative to the segmental partitions of the rhombencephalon. Intercellular electrical coupling and dye transfer were studied with microelectrode techniques. Neuroepithelial cells were electrically coupled irrespective of their location relative to interneuromeric boundaries. Iontophoretic injection of biocytin or Lucifer Yellow into single cells inside the rhombomeres was followed by transjunctional diffusion to the surrounding cells. In contrast, dye transfer was strictly limited when the diffusion zone contacted the cells forming the interneuromeric limits. Label injected into the boundary cells did not spread to other cells at all. Avian interrhombomeric boundaries are thus sites of reduced junctional permeability during early morphogenesis.