Molecular control of neural crest formation, migration and differentiation.
Induction, migration and differentiation of the neural crest are crucial for the development of the vertebrate embryo, and elucidation of the underlying mechanisms remains an important challenge. In the past year, a novel signal regulating the formation of neural crest cells has been identified, and advances have been made in uncovering roles for bone morphogenetic protein signals and for a transcription factor in the onset of neural crest migration. There have been new insights into the migration and plasticity of branchial neural crest cells. Important progress has been made in dissecting the roles of bone morphogenetic protein, Wnt and Notch signalling systems and their associated downstream transcription factors in the control of neural crest cell differentiation.
Christiansen
J H
JH
Division of Developmental Neurobiology, National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, NW7 1AA, London, UK.
Coles
E G
EG
Wilkinson
D G
DG
D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014981:Xenopus; D015027:Zebrafish; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins
D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C497237:mitfa protein, zebrafish; C081451:olfactomedin