AP-2 and HNK-1 define distinct populations of cranial neural crest cells.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if distinct populations of cranial neural crest cells (CNCC) exist by characterization of their divergent gene expression patterns.


METHODS
Identification of unique populations of CNCC was determined by a combination of lineage and immunohistochemical analyses.


METHODS
Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104.


RESULTS
We found antibodies of two proteins previously described as identifying all CNCC, label three populations of CNCC at specific time-points. Furthermore, the activating protein 2 (AP-2) expressing CNCC become neural or mesenchymal NCC derivatives whereas the HNK-1 labeled cells do not participate in the mesenchymal lineage.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide molecular markers for unique CNCC fates and thus will be invaluable in the characterizing of craniofacial anomalies related to defects in NCCS. In addition, our data suggest AP-2 may function in determining the unique mesenchymal fate of CNCCs.
Minarcik
J C
JC
Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Golden
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000196:embryology; D018959:CD57 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000235:genetics; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000196:embryology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015415:Biomarkers; D018959:CD57 Antigens; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D050656:Transcription Factor AP-2; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate