title: The neural crest.
abstract: The neural crest (NC) is a highly migratory multipotent cell population that forms at the interface between the neuroepithelium and the prospective epidermis of a developing embryo. Following extensive migration throughout the embryo, NC cells eventually settle to differentiate into multiple cell types, ranging from neurons and glial cells of the peripheral nervous system to pigment cells, fibroblasts to smooth muscle cells, and odontoblasts to adipocytes. NC cells migrate in large numbers and their migration is regulated by multiple mechanisms, including chemotaxis, contact-inhibition of locomotion and cell sorting. Here, we provide an overview of NC formation, differentiation and migration, highlighting the molecular mechanisms governing NC migration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. r.mayor@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mayor
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Theveneau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D002633:Chemotaxis; D002642:Chick Embryo; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D009432:Neural Crest / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D014981:Xenopus; D015027:Zebrafish
keywords: Cancer; Cell migration; Chemotaxis; Contact-inhibition of locomotion; Epithelium-to-mesenchyme transition; Neural crest cells; Neurocristopathies