Plasma membrane cholesterol depletion disrupts prechordal plate and affects early forebrain patterning

► We approached the embryonic role of cholesterol-rich membrane microdomains (CRMM). ► CRMM disruption by cholesterol depletion did not affect Spemann's organizer function. ► CRMM disruption affected Shh and goosecoid expression in neurula embryos. ► CRMM disruption generated embryos in which the prosencephalon failed to develop. ► Head defects caused by CRMM disruption are partially rescued by Dkk1.